Jakarta. Zulkifli Hasan, the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), revealed that he had proposed Kaesang Pangarep, chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), as a potential candidate for deputy governor of Jakarta to his father, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, about a year ago. However, Jokowi turned down the suggestion.

During a meeting where he delivered a letter of support for the East Java Regional Election, Zulkifli shared with President Jokowi his proposal of having young leaders like Kaesang and Zita Anjani  -- Deputy Speaker of the Jakarta Legislative Council -- govern Jakarta. Speaking to reporters after the meeting in Jakarta, Zulkifli recounted Jokowi's initial skepticism due to Kaesang's age.

"I proposed Kaesang for the position, but because of his age, Jokowi wasn't initially convinced," Zulkifli explained.

"Now it can be, Sir," Zulkifli quoted himself of having told Jokowi, to which Jokowi responded, "Don't Mr. Zul.'" 

Kaesang, 29, was initially ineligible to run for the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election due to the minimum age requirement set by the General Election Commission (KPU). According to KPU Regulation (PKPU) Number 9 of 2020, gubernatorial candidates must be at least 30 years old when appointed by the KPU to compete in the Pilkada.

However, there have been recent developments regarding the age requirements for regional head candidates.

The Supreme Court (MA) last week approved a judicial review of these requirements ahead of the 2024 Regional Election scheduled for November.

While retaining the minimum age requirement, the court ruled that the minimum age must be reached on the day when the elected candidate is sworn in for office, not during the end of the registration period.

With Kaesang turning 30 on Dec. 25, he would meet the age requirement by the time of the scheduled inauguration day if he decides to run in the upcoming election.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Kaesang's older brother, was elected as the vice president of Indonesia in the 2024 Presidential Election after the Constitutional Court changed the age limit regulations by making exceptions for candidates who have served or are serving an elected office.

This decision came amidst allegations from presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, who sought to disqualify Gibran over accusations that Jokowi's son enjoyed an unfair advantage from his uncle, then Constitutional Court Chief Justice Anwar Usman. Anwar had overseen a panel that revised the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Gibran, aged 37, became eligible to contest as he was the elected mayor of Solo. He was selected as the running mate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, and the pair secured victory in the election with 58 percent of the vote.

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