Indonesia’s largest political party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), has nominated cabinet secretary Pramono Anung as its candidate for the Jakarta governor position. This decision effectively eliminates the chance of Anies Baswedan, a vocal government critic and former Jakarta governor, from running for the office. The nomination follows a week of intense political drama and protests in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, over President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s efforts to consolidate his power before leaving office.
Anies, who narrowly lost the presidential election this year, was initially seen as the frontrunner for the Jakarta governor position. His popularity and critical stance towards Jokowi’s government made him a potential threat to the ruling party’s hold on power. However, the PDIP’s decision to nominate Pramono Anung, citing his extensive political experience, has shifted the political landscape in Jakarta.
The decision to nominate Pramono Anung comes amidst widespread backlash directed at Jokowi and his perceived efforts to secure his power base before stepping down this October. The move is seen by many as an attempt to weaken Anies, who had previously accused the Jokowi administration of interfering in the presidential election through unfair practices.
The Jakarta governor position, previously held by Jokowi himself, is considered a stepping stone to the presidency. Recent surveys have consistently shown Anies leading the race for the governorship, further highlighting the significance of the PDIP’s decision.
With the PDIP’s nomination of Pramono Anung, a coalition of 13 government-aligned parties has registered former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil as its candidate. Anies, who is not affiliated with any political party, is now left with no party backing for his potential candidacy. Anies has yet to respond to requests for comment on the situation.
The political drama surrounding the Jakarta governor election has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Indonesia. The public’s perception of Jokowi’s efforts to manipulate the political landscape has led to widespread protests and criticism. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for the future of Indonesian politics, particularly with regards to the balance of power between the ruling party and opposition forces.
