Sepekan – The public continues to await the development of a new entity, whether a mass organization (ormas) or a political party, that Anies Baswedan plans to establish. Regarding this, Tom Lembong, a close associate of Anies Baswedan, provided an update on the new entity.
Speaking on the *Pedjuang* podcast, Tom Lembong stated that the new entity is still under discussion within Anies Baswedan’s internal team.
“Personally, I predict he will create a kind of mass organization (ormas). This is just my feeling,” he said, as quoted by KBA News on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
The former Minister of Trade of Indonesia stated that a new entity in the form of an ormas could serve a broader spectrum. People already affiliated with a party can also join. “Ormas is inclusive; everyone can join,” he added.
In addition, there is usually no sentiment in ormas. “Certainly, there will be debates over ideas and concepts, but within an ormas, this can occur in a more serene atmosphere. There can be a clash of ideas, but always with mutual respect,” he explained.
According to him, when discussing personal popularity, Anies Baswedan’s rating is currently the highest of his career, even higher than during the presidential election. At that time, the public had not yet grown weary of the system. Recently, public dissatisfaction has been mounting, making Anies a symbol of resistance against the flawed system.
“So, the formation of this entity is urgent, so that the resistance can be channeled and structured, with systematic dialogue,” he explained.
Tom Lembong stated that the agenda for change is becoming increasingly relevant. He also urged everyone to remain active in raising political awareness, as this is the beginning of societal well-being. “Many people still do not understand the link between politics, medical expenses, income, and other aspects of life,” he said.
Anies’ well-known collaborative stance is something to be followed. “Let’s start moving together, crossing all boundaries, including those who did not vote for Anies-Muhaimin in the presidential election. This has already transcended sectors; it’s not just about Anies’ ‘circle’ anymore,” he stressed.
The former Co-Captain of the AMIN National Team revealed that given the current state of the nation, Anies Baswedan’s mission is of utmost importance. “Personally, I am very enthusiastic about this mission. It is not a political movement but one that can synergize with political parties, even though many people are still disillusioned with parties,” he explained.
On that occasion, Tom Lembong also assured that this new entity would not just talk but also take real action. Certainly, it will invite input from sympathizers, supporters, and experts. The key is the implementative spirit of Anies and other figures.
He emphasized the need for concrete targets that can be evaluated and measured, such as when the budget is available, the timeline for achieving goals, and when the results are delivered to beneficiaries. “So, it’s not just rhetoric; it must be realized in the form of concrete action. Ideas must become something tangible,” he emphasized.
Regarding funding, Tom Lembong assured that the funds would not be co-opted by diversifying them. Avoiding dependency on a few major sources of funds is crucial. The base must be broad, involving many people.
“These are the norms we advocate: government transparency and meritocracy. The community that contributes the most to the people will receive appreciation, not the leaders,” he explained.
In principle, there must be an evaluation mechanism that can be measured quantitatively and objectively, as well as transparency. There should also be supervision and verification by an independent third party.
Tom Lembong stated that what he has shared is only his prediction about the new entity. “This is my prediction, and once again, we are still waiting for Mr. Anies’ decision,” he stressed.
