REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- A number of names emerged as alternative presidential candidates to challenge Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and vice president candidate from Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in 2019 General Election. West Nusa Tenggara Governor, M Zainul Majdi or usually called Tuan Guru Bajang (TGB) is among one of them. TGB is one of Democratic Party politician.

However, according to Democratic Party vice chairman Roy Suryo, the party would prioritize Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) rather than TGB. He asserted the other names, including TGB will be the next option after the son of former president, who also general chairman of the party, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. 

"Democratic Party has agreed to prioritize AHY as the next leader," he said on Tuesday (March 13).

Roy said the decision was based on Democratic Party national leadership meeting (Rapimnas) on last March 10 - 11 and also the previous meeting in West Nusa Tenggara. However, he said the party realized that TGB is a potential figure to advance in 2019 presidential election.

Therefore, Roy said everything is still under consideration. He stressed that all the options still open. In addition, he admitted TGBs name had been proposed, before AHYs name appeared massively nowadays.

Meanwhile, Demoratic Party chairman Didik Mukrianto denied the party ignored TGB potential and gave privilege to AHY. He said it will bring a great loss to Democratic Party not to stimulate its cadres to be a part of the solution for the country.

"Democratic Party opens and gives equal opportunities to all cadres," he said when contacted by Republika.co.id on Tuesday.

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