PSI won't join Golkar in Banten gubernatorial election, Kaesang says
Kaesang Pangarep, the chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), has declared that his party will not join the Golkar-led coalition in the upcoming Banten gubernatorial election, which is set to support frontrunner Airin Rachmi Diany. This decision was made clear during Kaesang's visit to Golkar headquarters on Thursday, where he discussed the potential for cooperation in the November regional elections in a closed-door meeting.
Kaesang stated, "In Banten, Insya Allah [God willing], we, the PSI, are ready [to compete] even if we have to face Golkar. Winning will be extraordinary, losing will be impossible." His declaration highlighted a division among the members of the Onward Indonesia Coalition (KIM), which had initially aimed to present a united front in the elections.
Previously, the PSI had shown support for Gerindra politician Andra Soni and his running mate Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). The Andra-Achmad pair also has the backing of other KIM member parties, such as the National Mandate Party (PAN), and other parties outside the coalition, including NasDem, the National Development Party (PPP), and the National Awakening Party (PKB).
KIM is the electoral alliance that supports president-elect Prabowo Subianto. Kaesang’s announcement indicates a significant rift within this coalition despite their initial intentions to advance a partnership for the elections.
Conversely, Golkar is now considering an alliance with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which is not part of KIM, to meet the required threshold of 20 percent of seats on the local legislative council to nominate Airin as a candidate for the Banten gubernatorial race.
Acknowledging the situation, Kaesang remarked on Thursday that competition between parties within the coalition for regional elections is inevitable. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the coalition’s pact but also accepted that friendly competition between parties is natural.
Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto echoed Kaesang's sentiments, dismissing concerns about intra-coalition opposition in the regional elections. He stressed that any competition among KIM members would be friendly, stating, "If we can't be together, that means we have to compete. But it would be a friendly competition between KIM members."
