Hatta Rajasa Welcomes Jokowi's Candidacy for Presidency

Batam, Riau Islands (Antara) - General chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Hatta Rajasa, welcomed the Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s nomination as a presidential candidate of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in the 2014 general election. The PAN leader, however, said his party will not coalesce with the PDI-P in the presidential election scheduled to be held in July 2014. Hatta made the remarks following his campaign here on Monday, adding that the PAN had nominated him as the party's presidential candidate, so it is impossible to nominate another person. PDIP's central executive board member Puan Maharani announced Jokowi's candidacy for the presidency at the party's headquarters on Friday, March 14, two days before the start of official campaigns for the legislative elections. In his speech, Hatta said his party wished to improve the people's welfare in various sectors, such as health and education. "Indeed, there are still many things that should be done, such as the quality of education and health facilities," he stated. Three of them are local parties for the Aceh electorate, including the Aceh Party (Partai Aceh-PA), the Aceh People's Party (Partai Rakyat Aceh-PRA) and the Aceh Sovereignty Party (Partai Daulat Aceh-PDA). The other 12 parties are the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), the Nation's Awakening Party (PKB), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), the Golkar Party (Golkar) and the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra). Also included in the line-up are the Democratic Party (Demokrat), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), the Crescent and Star Party (PBB) and the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). (*) Reporting by Jannatun Naim