Kupastutas.co, Lampung English - The Democratic Party revealed that the NasDem Party unilaterally carried the duet of Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin. The Democratic Party said this step was a form of betrayal of the spirit of change.

"The series of events that occurred were a form of betrayal of the spirit of change; a betrayal of the Coalition Charter which had been agreed upon by the three political parties; also a betrayal of what Presidential Candidate Anies Baswedan himself had said, who had been given the mandate to lead the Change Coalition," said the PD Secretary General, Teuku Riefky Harsya, in a written statement, Thursday 31 August 2023.

Riefky said that his party received information from Sudirman Said, who represents Bacapres Anies Baswedan, that Anies had agreed to the political cooperation between NasDem and PKB to nominate the pair Anies-Cak Imin. This agreement is said to have been carried out unilaterally on the initiative of the Chairman of NasDem, Surya Paloh.

"Today, we confirmed this news to Anies Baswedan. He confirmed that the news was true. Democrats were 'forced' to accept the decision (fait accompli)," said Riefky.

Due to this incident, Riefky said that the Democratic Party would hold a meeting of the Democratic Party's High Council. This is in accordance with the rules contained in the AD/ART of the party bearing the Mercy Star symbol.

"Responding to this, the Democratic Party will hold a meeting of the Higher Council of the Party to make further decisions. In accordance with the 2020 Bylaws of the Democratic Party, the authority to determine coalitions and presidential/cawapres candidates is determined by the High Council of the Party," said Riefky.

In fact, said Riefky, Anies had chosen Democrat chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono as his running mate based on input from his mother and spiritual teacher.

Riefky said Anies had decided to choose Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono as vice presidential running mate since June 14. Riefky received a report from Anies that there was no objection from political party officials in the coalition on behalf of Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono as deputy vice president.

"In accordance with the mandate given by the three General Chairmen of Political Parties which were each signed by the General Chairperson of Nasdem Surya Paloh; PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu; and Democratic Party General Chair Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to determine who the vice presidential candidate he chose, then on 14 "In June 2023, presidential candidate Anies decided to choose Ketum Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono as his vice presidential candidate," he said.

"The name of Ketum Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has been conveyed to the Chairpersons of the Political Parties and the highest assembly of each party; in this case directly to Surya Paloh, Salim Segaf Al Jufri and Ahmad Syaikhu, as well as to Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in their capacity as chairman of the Democratic Party's Upper House. According to the presidential candidate, the three political party leaders accepted the decision and there was no objection," he added.

Riefky said Anies was considering Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono to be his vice presidential candidate because he met all the specified criteria.

When conveying the decision to political party leaders, Anies explained the reason for choosing Ketum Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, because Ketum Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono fulfilled all the terms and criteria specified in the Charter of the Coalition for Change for Unity.

Apart from that, the Anies presidential candidate assessed that Ketum Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono also had the courage and was willing to take risks to become his companion; even though his own party is threatened with being taken over by KSP Moeldoko through a PK at the Supreme Court.

"Anies sees the courage requirement as the 0th requirement, which other Cawapres candidates do not have. A statement regarding the 0th requirement has also been conveyed to the public," he said. (*)