PDIP does not Want to Lose Rismaharini: Observer

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) will nominate Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini for the 2015 mayoral election for a second term as it does not want to lose her, a political observer noted. It is Rismaharini who becomes the symbol of the PDIP, political observer Suko Widodo of Airlangga University in Surabaya said on Friday. However, he remarked, the poor political communication between Rismaharini and the PDIP will pose an obstacle in her bid for the second term of office. Their political communication has come to a standstill, he added. \"Risma had better improve her communication with the PDIP if she wants it to nominate her again for the mayoral election,\" he observed. A report saying the PDIP will nominate Rismaharini who will team up with Wisnu Sakti Buana has surfaced after she met with PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri during the party\'s fourth congress in Bali on Thursday (April 9). Widodo pointed out that several members of the PDIP Central Executive Board and the PDIP Provincial Executive Board in East Java have agreed to nominate Rismaharini for the second term. Rismaharini has, however, declined to comment on the report that she has been close to securing a recommendation from the PDIP Central Executive Board to team up with Wisnu Sakti Buana for the 2015 mayor election. Several sub-branches of the PDIP in Surabaya have urged the party\'s executive board in the city against nominating Rismaharini for the second term. Earlier, Deputy Chief of the executive board in the city Sukadar said his side received inputs from several sub-branches during a conference of the Surabaya PDIP on March 9, suggesting that the party will nominate one of its own cadres to run for Surabaya mayor. \"She neither contributed to the party nor coordinated within it. The party got nothing from her. We will not ask her to run for another term in office,\" he stressed. As the winner of the 2014 city legislative election, it is time for the party to nominate one of its own cadres for the post of Surabaya mayor, he added. Deputy chief of the PDIP executive board in Surabaya, Baktiono noted the Bali congress is still undecided about recommending a nominee for Surabaya mayor. (*) Reported by Abdul Hakim