17-5-2024 (JAKARTA) The race for the governorship of Jakarta, Indonesia’s current capital city, is intensifying as the November local elections draw closer. With about 20 potential candidates emerging, the contest promises to be a high-stakes political battle featuring several prominent figures vying for one of the nation’s most coveted positions.
Among the heavyweights reportedly considering a run are former presidential candidate and Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, his predecessor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, and several current ministers, including the highly respected finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. Rising political star and former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil is also being touted as a potential contender.
The election has garnered significant attention not only due to Jakarta’s status as the current capital but also because of the city’s role as a business and financial hub, even after the relocation of the capital to the new city of Nusantara in Kalimantan later this year.
“Jakarta will still be a magnet because it will still be the centre of economy, business, education, and a melting pot of various ethnic groups,” said political analyst Ujang Komarudin from Al Azhar University, emphasizing the city’s enduring significance.
The Jakarta governorship has long been seen as a springboard to higher office, with former governors like outgoing President Joko Widodo and Anies Baswedan having used the position as a stepping stone to presidential ambitions. This perception has fueled speculation that the upcoming election could be a prelude to future national leadership contests.
“Whoever (wins) the Jakarta election can be the next president or vice-president in this republic,” said Nicky Fahrizal, a political analyst from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), reflecting the prevailing assumption among political elites.
Interestingly, the names of incoming President Prabowo Subianto’s niece, Sara Djojohadikusumo, and nephew, Budi Djiwandono, have also been floated as potential candidates, adding another layer of intrigue to the race.
While the official candidacy registration for party-backed contenders is not due until late August, the early emergence of so many names underscores the intense interest and jockeying for position surrounding the Jakarta governorship.
One of the key factors that could shape the race is the backing of outgoing President Jokowi, whose endorsement is seen as a potential game-changer. Analysts suggest that Anies Baswedan, who has reportedly been at odds with Jokowi since his dismissal as education minister in 2016, may struggle to secure the incumbent’s support.
Meanwhile, the return of Ahok, the former governor who was imprisoned for blasphemy shortly after the 2017 election, has sparked a political wave, with his recent podcast addressing Jakarta’s issues fueling speculation about his potential candidacy.
As the race unfolds, analysts caution that predicting the outcome in Jakarta will be challenging, as the city’s voters do not have a clear pattern of allegiance to any particular politician or party.
“It is hard to predict what will happen,” said Aditya Perdana, a political lecturer from the University of Indonesia, underscoring the unpredictability of the contest.
With the November elections fast approaching, the battle for the Jakarta governorship promises to be a captivating display of political maneuvering, with the outcomes potentially reverberating far beyond the city’s borders and shaping the nation’s future leadership landscape.
