Jakarta. Former Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, has emerged as a formidable candidate for the governor position in the 2024 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election after receiving support from the National Mandate Party (PAN), Golkar, and the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party.

Zulkifli Hasan, also known as Zulhas, the Chairman of the PAN Central Executive Board (DPP), is the latest party chairman to endorse Ridwan, affectionately known as Kang Emil.

"Ridwan Kamil will be competing for the governor position in Jakarta, God willing," said Zulhas at the JS Luwansa Hotel, Jakarta, on Thursday.

Zulhas also stated that PAN would maintain its collaboration with Gerindra and Golkar. These parties had previously formed a coalition to support Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto's successful presidential bid in the 2024 Presidential Election.

"We will maintain our collaboration with Gerindra in the regional elections. For instance, in Jakarta, West Java, West Sumatra, Lampung, Jambi, Bengkulu," emphasized Zulhas.

Previously, Airlangga Hartarto, the Chairman of the Golkar Party, said that Ridwan Kamil had secured support from Golkar and Gerindra to run for governor.

"Golkar and Gerindra have endorsed Ridwan Kamil," confirmed Airlangga at the Golkar Party Central Executive Board office, Slipi, West Jakarta, on April 10.

However, Airlangga mentioned that Ridwan Kamil also had the potential to run in the West Java Gubernatorial Election, stating that Jakarta and West Java are not significantly different.

Aside from Ridwan Kamil, Airlangga mentioned two Golkar Party cadres who are also vying for the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election. They are Erwin Aksa, the Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party, and Ahmad Zaki Iskandar, the Chairman of the Jakarta Golkar Regional Executive Board. However, only Zaki Iskandar has received a mandate from the Golkar Party.

"For DKI Jakarta, we have conveyed that someone is on the way to Jakarta, we are waiting. Then, there is someone who has received a mandate, Mr. Zaki. Then, there is someone who has put up billboards, his name is Mr. Erwin Aksa. He has put up billboards, but has not been given a mandate yet," he explained.

The capital city is currently under the leadership of a presidential appointee following the completion of the term of the previous governor, Anies Baswedan, in 2022. Anies lost to Prabowo in the February 14 presidential election and is widely expected to seek reelection in Jakarta.

Indonesians are set to elect governors, mayors, and regents across the country simultaneously on November 27.