by House speaker Bambang Soesatyo, and prompted other major parties to affirm their opposition to gay rights. Chairman of PAN PAN held a congress in Bali over 28 February to 2 March 2015 to choose a chairman for the 2015-2020 period. Among those considered contenders were Zulkifli, then-incumbent chairman Hatta Rajasa and deputy chairman Dradjad Wibowo. Zulkifli announced his candidacy on 19 January 2015 in Surabaya. The Chairman of PAN's Youth Front Advisory Council, Hanafi Rais, said Zulkfli wanted the party to focus on defending the interests of the people, as well as giving local party officials full authority in determining regional leadership boards, and improving the performances of regional heads. On 1 March 2015, Zulkifli was narrowly elected PAN chairman, receiving 292 votes, while Hatta Rajasa received 286 votes. After his election, Zulkifli insisted PAN would remain part of Prabowo Subianto's opposition coalition. On 2 September 2015, Zulkifli announced PAN was switching its allegiance to Jokowi's ruling coalition in order to help the government's programs succeed. On 9 August 2018, Zulkifli shifted PAN's allegiance back to Prabowo amid allegations that Prabowo's running mate for the 2019 presidential election, Sandiaga Uno, had paid Rp 500 billion to PAN in order to secure his nomination. PAN denied the allegation. Money politics In February 2017, Zulkifli urged Indonesians to avoid all forms of money politics in regional elections. “The sovereignty and power are fully in the hands of the people. Do not trade it for money or staple foods,” he said. On 6 March 2018, Zulkifli was filmed giving money to women in a public transport vehicle at a market in Muara Enim in South Sumatra province, ahead of the election for the regent of Muara Enim. He was accompanied at the market by regency head candidate Syamsul Bahri, who is supported by PAN. The Election Supervisory Agency (Panwaslu) of Muara Enim conducted an investigation and attempted to summon Zulkifli for questioning but he was too busy to attend. PAN officials denied the handing out of money in the presence of the candidate constituted money politics, arguing Syamsul Bahri's presence was his own initiative. Panwaslu later concluded Zulkifli had not been trying to influence voters to choose a particular candidate. Presidential ambition In February 2018, Zulkifli said he would be ready to contest Indonesia's 2019 presidential election if he is nominated. He later acknowledged any presidential nominee would likely require the backing