“Sandiaga Uno’s Uncertain Party Affiliation: Slow Progression Towards Decision”

Jakarta –

Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno admitted that he had not decided which party he would join after leaving Gerindra. University of Indonesia political expert Dr Aditya Perdana predicts that it will be difficult for Sandiaga to join the PKS because of his complicated relationship with Anes Baswedan.

Aditya initially said that Sandiaga had been close to PKS since the 2017 DKI Jakarta Pilkada until the 2019 Presidential Election. PKS was indeed the party supporting Sandi in the 2017 DKI Pilkada and the 2019 Presidential Election.

PKS led Sandiaga to become Deputy Governor of DKI accompanying Anies Baswedan. Meanwhile, in the 2019 presidential election, Sandiaga became the vice presidential candidate from Prabowo Subianto.

“In terms of closeness, PKS was close, in the regional elections DKI had intense communication, even though Sandi represented Gerindra (before deciding to leave). Then during the 2019 presidential election. Sandi often said, ‘I have close ties with PKS’,” Aditya told reporters, Tuesday ( 30/5/2023).

He said Sandiaga did not have a long history with PPP. He said Sandiaga had only ever talked about how his parents had been active in PPP.

“For PPP, it’s different. For PPP, the parent aspect is in PPP. In terms of emotional closeness and electoral battle with PKS,” he said.

However, he said Sandiaga was more likely to join PPP. Aditya predicts that Sandiaga will join PPP as long as he is proposed to be the cawapres.

“In PPP, he wants to be directed to become one of the political party leaders, as long as there is certainty for a cawapres,” said Aditnya.

He then talked about the slim chance of Sandiaga joining the PKS, which has now carried Anies as a presidential candidate. He said that the relationship between Sandiaga and Anies was rather complicated, so that it became a barrier for Sandiaga to PKS.

“Anies and Sandi have a historical relationship which leaves questions about debt. It seems like there is a complex relationship. It’s a bit complicated,” he said.

“It’s complex, he’s interesting but there are aspects of individual character that get in the way,” he continued.

Previously, Sandiaga still did not give certainty about the news of joining PPP or PKS. Sandiaga said he was still listening to all inputs in determining whether to join the two parties.

“As of today, of course I listen to all input and will make decisions with a focus on how we get through the challenging times for the next 15 years. Because this opportunity is only once, for Indonesia to be a developed country,” Sandiaga told reporters at the Bumi Hotel Wiyata, Depok, Tuesday (30/5/2023).

“If we don’t accelerate development, I’m afraid that the demographics that we have cannot be converted to improve the economy and for people’s income, open jobs and business opportunities,” he said.

Regarding the signal to join PKS, Sandiaga admitted that he had a long-standing close relationship with PKS. Sandiaga said that later there would be further clarification regarding the news of joining the political party of his choice.

“Of course we will continue to have discussions with the chemistry that has been building for a long time. So friends, please just be patient, it will be updated later, everything is full of openness,” he said.

Regarding PPP, Sandiaga said that he had earlier had talks with the political party. Sandiaga hopes that input from kiai and clerics will become his provision to build the nation.

“Yes, it’s the same with PPP, but of course the talk with PPP has come earlier and we hope that input from clerics and clerics will become our provision as advice in the future to build the nation within the scope of our ukhuwah watoniah,” he said.

(aik/haf)