"The naming of Joko Widodo (better known as Jokowi) as a presidential candidate for the 2014 presidential race is an affair of another party. We will remain focused on our presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto," Gerindras General Chairman Suhardi said here on Friday.
He added that his party was continuing its efforts to increase the electability of its presidential candidate Prabowo, who is also Gerindras chief patron.
Jokowi on Friday said he was ready to be nominated as a presidential candidate by the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP).
"I have received the mandate from the PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri to run for the president," the governor said, when visiting Marunda, North Jakarta.
Local residents who listened to his statement honored him with a standing ovation and said "Thank God".
"By saying Bismillah (in the name of Allah), I am ready to carry out this mandate," Jokowi told Marunda residents at around 2.50 p.m. local time.
Having declared his readiness to run for the president, Jokowi then kissed the red and white Indonesian flag behind him.
(A014/INE/H-YH)
EDITED BY INE
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
