Indonesian Vice Presidential Candidate Announced: Mahfud MD to Run with Ganjar Pranowo for PDI-P

By Ardito Ramadhan, Nicholas Ryan Aditya, and Diamanty Meiliana for Kompas.com, October 18, 2023

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Prof. Dr. Mahfud MD, has received the official nod as the vice-presidential candidate alongside PDI-P presidential hopeful, Mr. Ganjar Pranowo. The announcement was made by PDI-P General Chairwoman, Megawati Soekarnoputri, at the PDI-P national office on Jalan Diponegoro, Menteng, Central Jakarta, during the morning hours of Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

In a resolute declaration, Megawati stated, “Today, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, I firmly affirm my decision, driven by a commitment to serve the best interests of our nation and its people. It is with this intent, invoking the blessings of bismillah hirohmanirrohim, that I unveil the chosen vice-presidential candidate of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Professor Doctor Mahfud MD is the individual who will stand alongside (presidential candidate) Mr. Ganjar Pranowo.”

During the announcement, Ms. Megawati was joined by key figures, including Development Unity Party (PPP) General Chair Mr. Mardiono, People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) General Chair Mr. Oesman Sapta Odang, Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo) General Chair Mr. Hary Tanoesoedibjo, PDI-P national executive council Chair Ms. Puan Maharani, and several members of the national campaign team for Mr. Ganjar Pranowo.

Born in the city of Sampang on Madura Island, Prof. Dr. Mahfud MD brings a wealth of experience to the role of Indonesia’s number two (“RI2”), having served in various capacities across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. His credentials include ministerial roles, membership of the House of Representatives, and the position of Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court.

The full name of Prof. Mahfud MD is Mohammad Mahfud MD. Born on May 13, 1957 in Sampang, he is married to Ms. Zaizatun Nihayati and is the father of three children: M Ichwan Zain, Vira Amalaia, and Royhan Akbar.

Prof. Mahfud MD embarked on his academic journey in 1983, completing his undergraduate program at the Faculty of Law, Indonesian Islamic University (UII) in Yogyakarta. During his tenure as a university lecturer, he pursued further studies at Gajah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, where he successfully completed his Master’s and Doctoral programs. Also, Prof. Mahfud MD obtained a postgraduate degree in Political Science from UGM in 1989 and later, in 1993, earned a Doctoral Degree in Law from the same institution.

His public service career encompasses a role as the Minister of Defense in President Abdurrahman Wahid’s Working Cabinet from 2000 to 2001. In 2001, President Abdurrahman Wahid appointed him as the Minister of Justice and Human Rights. Notably, he also served as Chief Justice at Indonesia’s Constitutional Court from 2008 to 2013.

In a twist, Prof. Mahfud MD’s name had been considered a front runner for vice presidential candidate for President Widodo in the 2019 elections. However, his candidacy was abruptly withdrawn, leading to his departure [from the announcement event venue] wearing a white and black outfit, concluding a significant chapter in his political journey.

This article is based on: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2023/10/18/10340661/resmi-mahfud-md-bakal-cawapres-ganjar-pranowo

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.TV – Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Prof. Dr. Mahfud MD departs from his official residence for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leadership meeting ahead of the announcement of presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo’s vice presidential candidate at Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/10/2023).

Prof. Mahfud MD smiles and waves when asked by media about Mr. Ganjar Pranowo’s vice presidential candidate.

#pdip #ganjarpranowo #cawapres2024