Chronology Of The Anies-Cak Imin Duet, June 14, Surya Paloh Agrees With The AHY Vice Presidential Candidate

Chairman of the Democrats Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono alias AHY together with Anies Baswedan (Instagram @agusyudhoyono)

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of the Democratic Party Teuku Riefky Harsya revealed that the series of changing coalition rifts for unity (KPP) after Anies Baswedan and the NasDem Party signed political cooperation with the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Riefky explained the chronology, the decision to cooperate between Anies Baswedan and PKB was carried out unilaterally by the NasDem party without the knowledge of the Democrats and PKS.

"Yesterday, August 30, 2023, we received information from Sudirman Said, representing Presidential Candidate Anies Baswedan, that Anies had approved the political cooperation of the Nasdem Party and PKB, to carry the pair Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar. This agreement was carried out unilaterally on the initiative of the Head of Nasdem, Surya Paloh," Riefky said in his statement, Thursday, August 31.

Riefky said the Democrats had confirmed the news to Anies and confirmed by the former governor of DKI Jakarta. In addition, Riefky said his party was also forced to accept the agreement.

"Today, we confirmed the news to Anies Baswedan. He confirmed that the news was true. Democrats were "forced" to accept the decision (fait accompli)," said Riefky.

Riefky, who was included in Team 8 of Anies's Winning Team, explained that actually Anies Baswedan had since June 14, 2023 chosen the Chairman of the Democrats Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).

"On June 14, 2023, Presidential Candidate Anies decided to elect Ketum AHY as his vice presidential candidate," said Riefky.

The decision has been conveyed by Anies to the leaders of his supporting parties, the Chairman of NasDem Surya Paloh, the President of PKS Ahmad Syaikhu, the Chairman of the PKS Syuro Council Salim Segaf Al-Jufri, and AHY and the Chairman of the Democratic High Council Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). None of them rejected the name AHY.

"The name Ketum AHY has been conveyed to the General Chairmen of Political Parties and the highest assembly of each party; in this case directly to Surya Paloh, Salim Segaf Al Jufri and Ahmad Syaikhu, as well as to Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in their capacity as Chairman of the High Council of the Democratic Party," explained Teuku Riefky.

"According to Presidential Candidate Anies, the three leaders of the Political Party accepted the decision and there was no rejection," he continued.

Anies said that he had chosen AHY because he met the requirements and criteria. AHY is considered brave and willing to take the risk of being his companion even though the Democrats are threatened with being taken over by the Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko.

"Anies sees the requirement for courage as the-0th requirement, which is not owned by other candidates for Vice Presidential Candidates. Statements regarding the 0th requirement have also been submitted to the public," said Riefky.

Then, the Change Coalition encouraged Anies to immediately announce the appointment of a vice presidential candidate due to pressure from various circles and the decline in the electability of Anies Baswedan.

A team of eight has drawn up a declaration plan. But it did not materialize. Democrats suspect that the cause is Anies obeying Surya Paloh to postpone the declaration.

"Capres Anies and Team 8 have planned several declaration times. However, the declaration plan never materialized. It is strongly suspected that the declaration was not carried out because Presidential Candidate Anies was more obedient to the General Chairperson of Nasdem Surya Paloh who wanted to continue to delay the time of the declaration. This clearly disrupts and violates the principle of equality (equality) in the coalition," said Riefky.

Declaration Plan

The declaration plan has been communicated with Surya Paloh at the meeting on August 24, 2023. Anies then also brought Anies when meeting SBY and also Salim Segaf. Anies decided to make a declaration in early September 2023.

"Regarding the timing of this declaration, Surya Paloh submitted it entirely to Team 8. Meanwhile, SBY and Salim Segaf agreed to accelerate the declaration. At the Anies Presidential Candidate meeting with Team 8 with SBY, Presidential Candidate Anies said that the declaration would be made in early September 2023," said Riefky.

The decision not to delay the declaration has been signed by AHY on August 25, 2023. It contains asking AHY to officially be willing to become a vice presidential candidate.

"The essence of the letter is to ask officially that Ketum AHY be willing to become his vice presidential candidate," said Riefky.

However, there was a surprising change. When Surya Paloh unilaterally appointed Cak Imin as the vice presidential candidate for Anies Baswedan on August 29, 2023 at NasDem Tower.

"That same night, Presidential Candidate Anies was summoned by Surya Paloh to accept the decision. A day later, August 30, 2023, Presidential Candidate Anies in this very important matter, did not convey directly to the highest leadership of PKS and the Democratic Party, but first sent Sudirman Said to convey it," concluded Riefky.