State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir entered as one of the presidential candidates chosen by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) residents.

Research Director of the Center for Strategic on Islamic and International Studies (CSIIS), Ali Muhtarom, said SOE Minister Erick Thohir has consistently been the presidential candidate chosen by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) residents.

Erick Thohir is considered as one of the young and accomplished figures, who is a representative of NU citizens.

"Erick Thohir consistently has a place in NU circles because he is one of the relatively fresh, young and accomplished figures," said Ali.

Erick Thohir does have close ties to the world's largest Islamic organization. Erick Thohir supports Nahdlatul Ulama to empower their people.

Erick Thohir is committed to helping PBNU which has 250 NU-Owned Enterprises (BUMNU) as a form of synergy to increase the independence of the people.

In addition, Erick Thohir also has the status of an Honorary Member of the Versatile Ansor Front (Banser), which is the NU autonomous body of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor).

Not surprisingly, the survey results from CSIIS stated that Erick Thohir was the presidential candidate of choice for NU residents.

With 13 percent of the vote, Erick competed tightly with other names who had already taken part in the NU environment.

East Java Governor Khofifah Indarparawansa occupies the electability position at 18 percent, Muhaimin Iskandar at 17.5 percent, and Erick Thohir at 13 percent.

Ali says the survey results show that Erick Thohir's presence within NU cannot be underestimated. The entry of the Chairman of the Islamic Economic Community (MES) into the top three, of course, makes the competition with a number of old names increasingly fierce and heated.

Muhaimin Iskandar had to share his support with a number of other presidential and vice presidential candidates, including Erick Thohir.