"Do not drag Mr. President (into the regional election) because I am the party leader," he said in a press statement received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.
Kaesang said that as the party leader, he has the right to decide who will contest the upcoming regional election in Jakarta as many parties have sought support from PSI for their nominees.
PSI has eight seats in the metropolitan city's legislative body for the 2024–2029 period, he added.
PKS secretary general Habib Aboe Bakar Al-Habsyi earlier claimed that President Widodo had given Kaesang's name to several political parties as a gubernatorial contender.
Kaesang denied Al-Habsyi's claim, saying that it aimed to close the possibility for PKS to coalesce with PSI in the regional election.
PKS recently nominated former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan as its Jakarta gubernatorial candidate.
Anies lost the recent presidential race but is seeking re-election in Jakarta.
Local media outlets have reported that Ridwan Kamil, former West Java governor, could potentially be Anies' toughest rival for the Jakarta gubernatorial seat.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has announced that the regional elections will take place simultaneously all over the country on November 27, 2024.
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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
