28-8-2024 (JAKARTA) In a surprising turn of events, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has opted not to nominate former presidential candidate Anies Baswedan for the Jakarta governorship. Instead, the party has chosen its own cadre, businessman-turned-politician Pramono Anung, to contest the upcoming regional elections.
The decision was announced on 26 August amid speculation that Mr Baswedan, a vocal critic of outgoing President Joko Widodo, would be the party’s pick. PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri hinted at the reasoning behind the decision in her speech, asking rhetorically, “Do you want to join PDI-P or do you want to use PDI-P?”
Sources close to the matter indicate that Mr Baswedan’s reluctance to become a PDI-P cadre, preferring to remain unaffiliated, was a key factor in the party’s decision. The Jakarta governorship, seen as a potential stepping stone to the presidency, is one of many positions to be filled in the regional elections scheduled for 27 November.
The appointment of Mr Anung, currently serving as Cabinet Secretary under President Widodo, has caught many by surprise. The 61-year-old is known for his affable nature and extensive network, and has reportedly acted as a communication bridge between Ms Megawati and Mr Widodo during their often tumultuous relationship.
Mr Anung, speaking to reporters before registering his candidacy, revealed that he was informed of his nomination just two days prior. He acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly in connecting with Jakarta’s younger voters who make up the majority of the electorate.
“This outfit is to say that I am going to knock on everyone’s heart in Jakarta with hope I will get a mandate to contribute to Jakarta,” Mr Anung stated, referring to the Jakarta ethnic attire he wore out of respect for the city’s residents.
The decision to nominate Mr Anung over Mr Baswedan comes despite the latter’s strong showing in recent polls. A June survey by Indikator Politik Indonesia placed Mr Baswedan as the frontrunner for the Jakarta governorship with 39.7% support, followed by former governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama at 23.8%.
Political analyst Professor Siti Zuhro questioned the party’s strategy, asking, “It is a big question why Pramono. Why not a candidate who clearly has a high survey number?”
The upcoming regional elections have been marked by the formation of a super coalition between parties affiliated with President-elect Prabowo Subianto and outgoing President Widodo. However, a recent Constitutional Court ruling lowering the electoral threshold for party nominations has been hailed as a win for democracy, potentially offering a better chance to candidates opposing the dominant coalition.
