REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PAYAKUMBUH -- The Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, admits that he is ready to run as a presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election, if there is a chance. This was said by Ridwan Kamil some time ago during a visit to Payakumbuh, West Sumatra.
"Previously, I never dreamed of becoming governor, suddenly thanks to Allah (to be governor). For 2024, if the road is open, I am Bismillah (in the name of Allah), ready to go forward," Ridwan Kamil said, Tuesday (31/3).
As a national figure, the man who is familiarly known as Kang Emil is included in the top three surveys of Indonesian Political Indicators for the 2024 Presidential Election. Even so, Emil admits that he will not insist on becoming the number one person in Indonesia.
"Even if they don't (go forward), there is no regret. For me, the position is only worship, the position is only temporary, this position is only for benefit," he said.
During this working visit to Padang and Payakumbuh, Kang Emil received a warm welcome from local residents. Apart from meeting the mayor of Payakumbuh, Kang Emil also met with the Governor of West Sumatra.
Kang Emil said that in the future, the most important thing for Indonesia's leaders is to be able to bring this country forward, like other big countries in the world.
At present, he said, Indonesia's democracy is in poor condition, even the split due to the 2019 Presidential Election is still not over even though the election has long been over.
"Think of the pilkada or presidential election as just a badminton competition. After the match, it's over. Don't be like now, we are busy looking for differences, but forget the similarities," he said.
The Mayor of Payakumbuh, Riza Falepi, has supported his alma mater to advance to be a presidential candidate in 2024. According to him, the former mayor of Bandung is worthy and worthy of leading Indonesia in the future.
"I pray to be president for Kang Emil," said the PKS politician.
The Indonesian Political Indicator simulated 17 names of presidential candidates in a national youth survey in March 2021. Anies Baswedan received the highest votes compared to a number of other names. Followed by Ganjar Pranowo and Ridwan Kamil.
Anies Rasyid Baswedan (15.2 percent), Ganjar Pranowo (13.7 percent), and Ridwan Kamil (10.2 percent) are the top three figures chosen by young people if the presidential election is held now.
"In general there is no dominant name," said Executive Director of Indonesian Political Indicators, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, in an online survey release on Sunday (21/3).
Next, the figures chosen by young people to become president are Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (9.8 percent) and Prabowo Subianto (9.5 percent). Furthermore, there are Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (4.1 percent), Erick Thohir (1.5 percent), Tito Karnavian (1.2 percent), and Puan Maharani (1.1 percent).