Observer: Puan likely has chance in 2014 presidential race

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Puan Maharani has the most chance to be nominated as a presidential hopeful among young figures in the country in the coming 2014 presidential race, a political observer said.

"Puan is the most popular young figure who has a big chance compared with other young figures," political expert of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Prof Indria Samego, said on Tuesday.

Indria Samego said that Puan had been successful in proving herself as an able leader by becoming the chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Faction (PDIP) in the House of Representatives (DPR). He said that Puan's political career as a politician, although only one year so far, has built her mature political character.

"Yet, it could neither be denied that she has become mature due to her family`s education. The Megawati Soekarnoputri and Soekarno factors could not be separated from her," Indria said.

Therefore, Indria predicted that Puan would be successful in defeating other young figures who were also often mentioned to be would-be presidential candidates in the coming presidential election. He compared Puan with Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono who also succeeded to appear in the political map due to his father Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the chief patron of the ruling Democratic Party (PD).

"Compared with Edhie, Puan is more proven. Edhie still has to prove himself first if he wants to compete in a presidential contest," Indria said.

Besides Edhie and Puan, the other young figures who might have the chance to nominate themselves included Priyo Budi Santoso, Pramono Anung and Rieke Dyah Pitaloka. "Rieke also is young and is proved to have the capability. But I think, Puan still has the bigger chance," the LIPI expert said. Outside the politicians, Indra also mentioned Mahfud MD, Dahlan Iskan, Anies Baswedan and Teten Masduki.