Jakarta. The Golkar Party on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution for the upcoming North Sumatra gubernatorial election.

The endorsement was announced by Golkar Party Chairman Airlangga Hartarto after he received Bobby at his official residence in Jakarta.

"I received a visit by Mr. Bobby, the mayor of Medan, after we earlier decided that he will contest the North Sumatra gubernatorial election with the support of several political parties including Golkar," Airlangga said after the meeting.

During the occasion, Golkar Deputy Chairman Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung handed the endorsement letter to Bobby. 

"This endorsement applies to the gubernatorial candidate while the running mate will be decided at a later date certainly on Mr. Bobby’s choosing," Airlangga said.

He added that three other incumbent parties also endorsed Bobby, the son-in-law of President Joko Widodo. They include the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the Democratic Party.

"The Golkar Party has made the final decision for North Sumatra and it seems the majority of parties will join us. Golkar’s poll performance indicates that our candidate is now the frontrunner," Airlangga said.

Golkar is now the second-largest party in the House of Representatives based on the last election outcome, in which it won more than 15 percent of the vote, just about 1 percentage point less than the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Bobby thanked Golkar for the endorsement which he described as a “spirit booster”, promising to pick a running mate sooner than later.