Andra Soni-Dimyati's support in the Banten gubernatorial election continues to increase, what is Airin's fate?

Golkar admitted that it did not feel threatened by the massive support for Andra-Dimyati. They insisted on carrying Airin.

KOMPAS

After successfully escorting Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka to RI1 and RI2, now the Indonesian Coalition is maneuvering again with the intention of winning the regional elections throughout Java.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The recommendation from the Nasdem Party DPP increases support for Andra Soni-A Dimyati Natakusumah as a candidate for governor and deputy governor of Banten. To date, the couple has received support from 7 of the 10 political parties that have seats in the Banten DPRD. The large amount of support for Andra-Dimyati threatens the fate of the candidacy of Airin Rachmi Diany, a Golkar cadre who has been aggressively seeking support from many political parties from the start.

The Secretary of the Election Winning Team (Bappilu) of the Nasdem Party, Willy Aditya, handed over a recommendation to Andra-Dimyati at the Nasdem Tower in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (9/7/2024) evening. Willy was accompanied by the officials of the Nasdem Central Leadership Council (DPP), namely Jakfar Sidik, Fauzi Amro, Dedy Ramanta, and the Chairman of the Nasdem Regional Leadership Council (DPW) of Banten, Wahidin Halim.

"The DPP of the Nasdem Party once again submitted a recommendation for the neighboring governor candidate of DKI Jakarta, Banten Province. With the words bismillahirrahmanirrahim, the DPP of the Nasdem Party handed over the recommendation to Andra Soni-Dimyati Natakusumah for the Banten Regional Election," said Willy.

Andra Soni is the Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council of the Gerindra Party in Banten, currently serving as the Chairman of the Banten Regional House of Representatives. Meanwhile, Dimyati Natakusumah is the former Regent of Pandeglang, currently serving as a member of the Party of Justice and Prosperity (PKS) Faction in the House of Representatives.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Posters featuring a potential candidate for governor of Banten have been spreading across various areas, including in the Ciputat area of South Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday (12/6/2024).

The issue of air pollution is not a new one. The community has long been threatened by air pollution, as evidenced by numerous research studies on the impacts of air pollution. However, these findings have yet to result in significant efforts to control air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering from the effects of air pollution. The Andra-Dimyati couple received a recommendation from the Gerindra party for the first time. The declaration of support for Andra-Dimyati in Tangerang Selatan, Banten, on Sunday, June 30, 2024, was attended by representatives from the Nasdem Party, the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

The Chairman of the Nasdem DPW Banten, Wahidin Halim, who was present during the declaration, has expressed his party's support for Andra-Soni. At that time, the former Governor of Banten conveyed his determination to win for the Andra-Soni pair.

Also read: Gerindra-Golkar Split in Banten Pilkada, Airin Says He Doesn't Want Andra Soni as Cawagub

So far, Andra-Dimyati has obtained endorsement recommendations from the Gerindra and Nasdem Central Executive Boards. In addition, verbal support for Andra-Soni has also been given by the regional boards of five political parties in the Banten Province, namely PAN, PSI, PKB, and PPP. It is highly likely that the central boards of these five parties will also issue recommendations to support Andra-Dimyati's candidacy.

In addition, the provincial level organizers of seven political parties have also agreed to work together by forming the Banten Maju Coalition. From the results of the 2024 Legislative Election, the combination of the seven political parties controls 61 seats in the Banten Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD). This number is far above the minimum threshold for the candidacy of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Banten, which is at least 20 seats in the DPRD Banten.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A banner of former Regent of Pandeglang, Dimyati Natakusumah, was installed in the Pondok Cabe area of South Tangerang, Banten on Friday (May 10th, 2024). Dimyati Natakusumah is running for governor in the Banten gubernatorial election in 2024.

Andra expresses gratitude for the support recommendations given by the National Democrat Party's Central Executive Board (DPP Partai Nasdem). He also declares readiness to carry out the entrusted mandate from Nasdem, one of which is to build communication with other political parties.

"Thank God, we have received a letter of recommendation from the Nasdem Party DPP. Together with Mr. Dimyati, I will, God willing, fulfill the mandate to run as candidates for governor and deputy governor in Banten Province," said Andra Soni.

After receiving the letter of recommendation, Andra briefly mentioned the issue of Banten's backwardness despite often being a support for Jakarta. He hopes that this can change and Banten can experience an acceleration of development.

Golkar will not join

Apart from the coalition of political parties, the Advanced Banten Coalition, the political party that has provided recommendations for candidates for governor of Banten is the Golkar Party. The political party led by Airlangga Hartarto is determined to nominate former South Tangerang Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany as a candidate for governor of Banten. Golkar has 14 seats in the Banten DPRD so it only needs to look for six additional seats to be able to meet the minimum requirements for candidacy in the Banten Pilkada.

What's important is the end. So, whoever wins, the important thing is that we can both oversee the development.

The Chairman of the Golkar Party DPP, Dave Laksono, stated that they still hold the same initial position in supporting Airin in the Banten Governor Election. Therefore, Golkar will not align with the "fat" coalition of Andra-Dimyati.

When asked whether the numerous political parties supporting Andra-Dimyati's candidacy posed a threat to Airin's candidacy, Dave admitted that he was not worried. This is because Golkar is exploring the formation of a coalition with the Democratic Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which have not yet decided their stance.

"Well, what's important is the end. "So, whoever wins, the important thing is that we can both oversee the development," he said.

KOMPAS

Not being united in supporting Airin in Banten, KIM will not survive in the 2024 regional elections.

Previously, Golkar Party and Gerindra Party had explored a coalition by promoting the duo of Airin and Andra Soni. However, the effort failed because the Golkar faction or Airin did not want Andra to become the candidate for Vice Governor of Banten.

As stated by the Vice General Chairman of Gerindra Party, Habiburokhman, Andra Soni was actually offered to be the vice governor candidate to accompany Airin. However, Airin's camp was said to have rejected the proposal.

"Yes, I think we have received information that it is not acceptable, right, Mr. Andra Soni becoming a deputy governor there, like that. Their party (Golkar) does not approve," he said.

Also read: Golkar will support Airin in the 2024 Banten regional elections

Therefore, Andra-Dimyati emerged as a consequence of the rejection from Airin's camp. The pair also obtained recommendations from several parties, which were sufficient for them to run for office.