Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo here Friday declared that he was ready for being nominated as presidential candidate by the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP).

"I have received a mandate from PDIP Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri to run for president," said the governor, popularly called Jokowi, when visiting Marunda, North Jakarta.

Local residents, who listened to his statement, applauded him with standing ovation, and said "Thank God".

"By saying Bismillah (with the name of Allah), I am ready to carry out this mandate," Jokowi told Marunda residents at around 2:50 pm local time.

Having declared his readiness to run for the president, Jokowi then kissed the red and white Indonesian flag behind him.

(A050/R013)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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