Presidential Candidate Jokowi not Dictated to: PDIP

Jakarta (Antara) - Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Chairman Effendi Simbolon confirmed that the party does not dictate to its presidential candidate, Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi. "Jokowi will select his vice presidential candidate on his own. This proves that he is not a person who is easily dictated to," Effendi said, during a discussion entitled, "What's Next, Indonesia" here on Thursday. Effendi's remark has again refuted the issue of whether Jokowi is a puppet presidential candidate, which was raised prior to the April 9, 2014 legislative general election. Some questioned whether Jokowi is a candidate who can be easily ruled by his superior, Megawati Sukarnoputri. Meanwhile, PDIP Deputy Secretary General Achmad Basarah reiterated here on Friday (April 4) that statements made by cadres of other parties, that Joko Widodo is a puppet presidential candidate, are misleading. Relating to whether a coalition might be created among political parties after the legislative election, Effendi said that PDIP is open to discussions with other parties. But political discussions are best conducted with political parties that have ideological similarities, he noted. "It should be clear. Our ideology is Pancasila (the state's five principles), then we will be hand in hand with a party that has the same ideology," he pointed out. (*) Reporting by Ade Irma Junida