Jakarta. Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung has been making headlines for being PDI-P’s nominee for the Jakarta governorship.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has also just given his comment on his minister’s governor candidacy. According to Jokowi,it is up to PDI-P and Pramono to join the Jakarta gubernatorial bid.

“Mr. Pramono Anung and PDI-P political right. Everything has its very own political calculations. I’m sure reaching that decision is not something easy to do,” Jokwoi told reporters in Sleman on Wednesday.

Jokowi admitted that Pramono had asked his approval two days ago.

“As soon as [PDI-P] appointed him, [Mr. Pramono] immediately asked for my permission,” Jokowi said.

Pramono has actor-turned-politician Rano Karno as his running mate. Rano Karno gained popularity after starring as Si Doel in Indonesian sitcom “Si Doel Anak Betawi”. The pair has officially signed up for the Jakarta governorship at the General Election Commission (KPU). Shortly after their registration, Pramono admitted to the press that he was not exactly popular among the public despite having assumed strategic positions in the government.

“Someone asked me [about my governorship] saying that I never really made a TV appearance so people don’t really know me. I told them yes, indeed, but I don’t need to be known. On this brief occasion, at least people will know me as Pramono Anung and Doel Karno,” Pramono said.

Despite not being as popular, Pramono claimed that he knew full well what Jakarta really needed as he was a cyclist himself.

“So I focus on the substances. I don’t need to make appearances in open space, but I will work hard because I want to make sure that Jakarta improves its public services,” Pramono said.

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