TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The preparations of the political parties in the search for presidential candidates are heating up. In the middle of June, a national meeting of the National Democrat (NasDem) Party recommended three candidates: Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Central Jakarta Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Andika Perkasa.
A number of politicians claim that the two final names are simply window dressing. NasDem seems to favor Anies Baswedan. Party Chairman Surya Paloh is lobbying to garner support. He even proposed Anies to President Joko Widodo, with Ganjar Pranowo as the running mate. If Jokowi did not agree, Puan Maharani could run with him instead.
Surya is not the only person who has been in action. So has Jusuf Kalla, who has long been a supporter of Anies since the Jakarta gubernatorial election in 2017. As vice president in Jokowi’s first term, Kalla has no problem gaining access to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), winner of the 2019 elections.
Meanwhile, Anies naturally has presidential ambitions of his own. He took part in the Democrat Party convention in 2014. He also has people to help him in the run up to 2024. Some former supporters of Jokowi are behind him. There are even people who were close to Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, Anies’ rival in 2017.
Support also come from major Islamic groups that have been loyal to Anies since the gubernatorial election. These groups that still show enmity toward Ahok today are openly supporting Anies in his run for the presidency. How will Anies free himself from the political cartel and his image of identity politics? Or will he benefit from this?
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Stefanus Pramono
Managing editor
Anies’ Chance at Presidency
The motives and maneuvers of political parties in supporting Anies Baswedan’s presidential candidacy. Is it really to garner a large number of votes in the 2024 elections?
Interview with Anies Baswedan
Anies answers questions from Tempo about the 2024 elections and his closeness to the 212 group.
From the Palace to City Hall
A number of former ministers and supporters of Jokowi have crossed to support Anies. Who are they and what is their role?
Aid for a Clean Slate
Anies is always linked with the Islamist 212 group. There are indications that he is trying to change his image to appear more tolerant.
OPINION
Anies’ Boon and Bane
How Anies’ victory in the 2017 regional election could hurt his chance as a presidential candidacy?
ECONOMY
Crypto Crash
The ‘crypto winter’ crisis causes crypto assets value to plunge by more than 80 percent. The government designs an exchange and regulations for high risk crypto assets amidst lacking education for investors.
Wait Out the Storm
Cryptocurrency investors are trying to hold on amid a steep decline in value. They are hoping for a rebound after pressure from inflation is relived.
OPINION
The Crypto Time Bomb
The value of cryptocurrency took a nosedive in the past few months. Investors are biting their nails.
LAW
Rolling Debts of State Fishing Business
The Attorney General’s Office charged two bosses of state fishing company Perikanan Indonesia with corruption. How could the nation lost hundreds of billions of rupiah?
Cleaning Radicalism on Civil Servant Campus
The dean of the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN) canceled a sermon by Khalid Basalamah. It contained radical elements.
OPINION
Beware of the Mother and Child Welfare Bill
