Jokowi Has Set Criteria for His Running Mate

Solo, C Java (Antara) - The presidential candidate of the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), Joko Widodo or Jokowi, said he wants a person who is not a job, position and money seeker to be his running mate. The Jakarta governor said, when visiting the office of the mayor of Solo in Central Java here on Thursday, the person he will pick as his running mate will be someone who can work like his team during his term as mayor of Solo. "Well, the presidential-vice presidential pair must be like the pair when I was the mayor of Surakarta, who never fought for a job or a position, let alone money," he added. Jokowi said solidity is important and it will have a positive impact on the progress of the Indonesian nation and state. "It is like what I had done, while in Solo and Jakarta," he added. Until now, Jokowi had not yet decided who will be his running mate, although the PDIP had formally declared its coalition with the National Democrat Party (Nasdem) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) for the presidential election scheduled on July 9. Jokowi and his delegation visited the office of the current mayor of Surakarta, FX Hadi Rudyatmo, who used to be his deputy mayor. "I came here just to see my old official residence. I also missed my senior (Rudy)," he said. Asked about the possibility of the PDIP to coalesce with the Golkar Party, Jokowi said, "We are open to any party. We will never reject any party that wishes to join. The more the more complete it will be. So, there will be green, red, yellow and blue." Rudy, meanwhile, said "Pak (Mr) Jokowi came to Loji Gandrung (the mayor's official residence) for a mere fraternal purpose. I am Jokowi's senior because I am older than him. He came to ask for inputs regarding his candidacy." He however declined to talk about the results of the meeting. "Just wait. When the time comes we will all know who he will choose as his running mate," he added. (*) Reporting by Joko Widodo