Mahfud Rejects PKS Offer to Become Anies' Vice Presidential Candidate
The Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD revealed that he had been offered the vice presidential candidate (cawapres) for the presidential candidate (candidate) Anies Baswedan.
However, the offer made by the President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Ahmad Syaikhu was rejected.
Mahfud said the offer was made when Ahmad Syaikhu and PKS politician Al Muzzammil Yusuf came to his house.
The arrival was intended to explore the search for a vice presidential candidate for Anies which was carried out by PKS some time ago.
"Pak Syaikhu, when he went home with Al Muzzammil, he explored to find Anies' vice president. Among other things, asking, 'Pak Mahfud are you ready or not?'," Mahfud said, imitating Ahmad Syaikhu's words while giving a statement to journalists at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Monday (5/6/2023).
"No (answered Mahfud). I said, because in your coalition there are Nasdem, Democrats and PKS, there are many candidates from their own parties," he continued.
In Mahfud's opinion, if he was later invited to join the coalition, it would undermine democracy.
So he asked Ahmad Syaikhu to maintain a coalition called the Change Coalition for Unity or KPP.
"Later, if I am invited there, I will destroy democracy. If (there is) one who leaves because you invite me, it will be damaged. That's why I ask you to take care of the coalition. I said that to the chairman of the PKS, take care of the coalition, don't invite me into ," Mahfud said.
"So that the coalition doesn't split. If I go inside, it will split. Because there are those who disagree and so on. That's all my job. Protect elections and protect democracy," he said.
On that occasion, Mahfud also admitted that he had given orders to constitutional law expert Denny Indrayana to ensure that Anies Baswedan could advance as a presidential candidate in 2024.
According to him, he conveyed the order in order to safeguard democracy.
"Even though I don't support it, I still protect democracy. That's right," he said.
Previously, constitutional law expert Denny Indrayana admitted that he received a message from Mahfud MD to help Anies Baswedan contest the 2024 presidential election. According to Denny, Mahfud reasoned that this was so that democracy in Indonesia would become healthier.
At first, Denny said that it was conveyed when he last met at Mahfud's official residence.
"So my last meeting with him, one of Pak Mahfud's messages was like this, 'Mas Denny, please help Anies Baswedan to become a presidential candidate so that our democracy is healthier'. I said, 'Oh, what's going on with this' hahaha, " said Denny while laughing at the Gaspol event! Kompas.com quoted on Sunday (4/6/2023) on YouTube.
Denny admitted that he did not know what was behind Mahfud's statement.