The Anies-Cak Imin Duet Is Considered Unable To Boost Electability

Anies Baswedan (left) and Ketum PKB Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin. (Instagram @aniesbaswedan-@cakiminnow)

Political communication observer Universitas Brawijaya Anang Sujoko assesses the duet of Anies Baswedan with Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin) has not been able to boost the couple's electability in the 2024 election.

Anang Sujok said Cak Imin's presence as a potential vice presidential candidate to accompany Anies Baswedan did not offer a good level of electability for now.

"My estimate is that it is not too strong because Cak Imin does not offer a good level of electability," said Anang who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Brawijaya as reported by ANTARA, Friday, September 1.

In fact, he said, it is estimated that Anies Baswedan's electability, promoted by the National Democratic Party (NasDem) as a candidate for president, will decrease compared to the support of the Democratic Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

According to him, if Cak Imin is agreed to become a candidate for vice president to accompany Anies Baswedan, it will not necessarily increase electability so that this condition does not need to worry other parties that carry other presidential candidates.

"In my opinion, there is no need to be afraid (of other coalitions). It is not (increased by NasDem's electability) in my opinion. NasDem with PKB is even likely to decline because the number of PKS and Democrats beat PKB," he said.

According to him, what Cak Imin did to get closer to NasDem is estimated to be due to the loss of a strategic position in the coalition with the Gerindra Party, Golkar Party, and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

"After being present, Golkar and PAN entered Gerindra, the position of PKB was no longer a key position. The hope was that from the beginning Cak Imin would be positioned as a candidate for vice president, but with the presence of Golkar and PAN, that position could not guarantee Cak Imin was included in the exchange," he said.

The Central Executive Board of PKB decided to accept the offer of political cooperation submitted by the NasDem Party to pair Anies Baswedan with Muhaimin Iskandar as a candidate for president and future vice presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

The decision was made after the completion of the PKB DPP Joint Plenary Meeting which was held at the East Java PKB Regional Leadership Council Office, Jalan Winanggal, Surabaya.