REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Lukman Edy, assessed Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) is not fit to pair with Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in presidential election 2019. Jokowi's vice president candidate should represent the Muslims. 

"AHY figure is not strong enough to represent Muslims communities," Lukman said when contacted by Republika.co.id, on Wednesday (March 14).

Lukman said presidential election 2019 will not be the same as previous election in 2014. In the next election, the public paid a lot of attention to Islamic issues.

According to Lukman, religious figure will have a higher chance to be elected  than national figure. The cumulative chance will reach 24 percent. Moreover, he saw an increasing in public need for leaders who prioritize Muslims agenda.

PKB as English > En 'Not easy for Jokowi's supporting parties to accept AHY'" target="_blank" rel="noopener">supporting party of government coalition asserted the needs of Muslims must be fulfilled. The resurrection of Muslims should be facilitated by choosing Islamic activist as leader.

Lukman explained many contributing factors to the situation. Jakarta gubernatorial election with its critical issue has united the people. The emerge of populist preachers, such as ustaz Abdul Somad, also paid contribution.

"AHY is not yet a strong figure in representing Islamic issues, therefore he will not have a significant votes in presidential election 2019," he remarked. 

However, Lukman admitted AHY as a young generation has potential to take part in politics. 

According to political observer of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Indria Samego, AHY will gain votes from young voters. AHY might be lack of experience, but he is popular.

"The key is his popularity," he said when contacted by Republika.co.id, on Wednesday.

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