Sepekan – Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is believed to understand the best political stance to take in facing the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election after it became clear he could not proceed due to a lack of party support.
Therefore, Anies Baswedan does not need to be directed, for example, to remain neutral or to side with one of the three pairs of governor-deputy governor candidates currently contesting the election.
“For things like that, Anies doesn’t need to be taught. He is a master in such matters. Please, do not dictate to Mr. Anies regarding his stance in Jakarta. Trust that he is a master in these things. He knows what needs to be done,” said sociologist Prof. Ahmad Humam Hamid, Thursday, September 19, 2024.
As someone who knows Anies well, Prof. Humam is confident that the former Rector of Paramadina University accepts the current political reality. Therefore, Anies will not provoke his disappointed supporters to engage in negative actions just because he was blocked from running.
“I also think he will not become anarchistic. Anies has no potential to become anarchistic. If the public becomes anarchistic later, it will be due to a mistake, not because of Anies. We have never heard him provoke. I am happy to be friends with him and very proud because of his commendable character,” he continued.
This is evident from Anies Baswedan’s track record so far. No matter how harsh the criticism, insults, and slander directed at him by certain groups, Anies has never retaliated or reported them to law enforcement.
Although, in Prof. Humam’s observation, some of the assessments of Anies have been exaggerated. As fiercely criticized by cultural observer Mohamad Sobary, “Anies has weaknesses. But not to the extent that he (Sobary) says. That is already excessive,” asserted the Professor of Syiah Kuala University (USK).
Yesterday, Anies Baswedan’s spokesperson, Angga Putra Fidrian, said that Anies has not yet decided which of the three gubernatorial candidate pairs in Jakarta he will support. This was stated in response to a survey finding by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) that all candidates need Anies Baswedan’s support.
Angga mentioned that Anies is still waiting for ideas from the three gubernatorial candidates first. The ideas of these aspiring leaders are crucial to understand how they want to lead Jakarta in the next five years. He also asked Anies’ supporters to do the same.
“For Mr. Anies’ supporters, let’s wait for the candidates to present their ideas first. There is still time. Don’t rush,” he said.
He also noted that Anies’ support or lack thereof is not just about electability but also about shared vision and ideas. Unfortunately, none of the candidates have yet presented their ideas.
