Jakarta. A senior executive of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has been chosen as the running mate for Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil, confirming speculation that the party has withdrawn its support from Anies Baswedan.

Suswono, a former agriculture minister who currently serves as the head of PKS's advisory council, will be formally announced as Ridwan’s running mate at a later date, according to Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the acting chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra).

Suswono held the position of agriculture minister during Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s second presidential term from 2009 to 2014.

His inclusion in the so-called Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) -- which has nominated Ridwan and also supported Prabowo Subianto’s successful presidential bid in February -- marks the end of PKS's earlier commitment to supporting Anies.

PKS had asked Anies to choose one of its executives as his running mate and to secure a coalition partner to meet the legislative threshold required for his re-election bid. However, the former Jakarta governor was unable to fulfill these conditions.

"We agreed to formally announce the pairing on August 19," Dasco told reporters at the parliament complex in Jakarta.

When asked if Suswono is the vice-gubernatorial candidate, Dasco replied: "Yes, that name has been made public by Mr. Zul anyway."

He was referring to Zulkifli Hasan, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), who had earlier stated that Suswono had been proposed as Ridwan’s running mate.

Gerindra, PAN, the Golkar Party, and the Democratic Party are the original members of the coalition. With the selection of Suswono, the Advanced Indonesia Coalition now includes PKS as a new member.

PKS had previously supported Anies in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election and the February presidential election, initially pledging to endorse him again for his re-election as Jakarta governor until he failed to find a coalition partner.

The National Democratic Party (Nasdem), which endorsed Anies in the presidential election six months ago, has also signaled its intention to join the Ridwan coalition, which will be renamed as KIM Plus.

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