PSI Party Promises to Criticize Anies Baswedan Until He Is Removed From Office on August 28, 2022.

JAKARTA – Three years ago today, August 28, 2022, the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) vowed to criticize the performance of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan until he stepped down. This commitment was made so that Jakarta residents would understand whether Anies' presence would bring benefits or harm.

Previously, the PSI frequently oversaw Jakarta government policies. Anies' political promises were challenged, and his claims of success were questioned. This situation led the PSI to believe that Anies' leadership would not bring significant change.

Anies Baswedan's arrival as Governor of Jakarta was greeted with joy. Anies wanted to beautify Jakarta. His slogan was "progress for the city, happiness for its citizens." Anies also promised to do everything possible for Jakarta residents.

He promised to address flooding and alleviate traffic congestion. Anies' promises were then scrutinized by all Jakarta residents. Anies briefly proposed infiltration wells as a solution to flooding. However, this option proved ineffective.

This was due to the increasingly limited green open space, not to mention the traffic jams. Anies has not been able to persuade the majority of Jakarta residents to switch from private transportation to public transportation, even though the JakLingko program has received praise.

The problems Anies faces have become the target of criticism from the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI). This is especially true when rain causes flooding in Jakarta. The PSI will highlight Anies' performance, which they consider incapable of performing optimally.

The PSI also targets Anies's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jakarta. All of Anies's initiatives to combat the spread of the coronavirus are considered mere gimmicks – including the intensification of COVID-19 testing.

All of this is seen as merely a means to gain sympathy from Jakarta residents. Anies is seen as prioritizing money for Formula E events over combating COVID-19.

"Governor Anies Baswedan is not an example of someone who can handle a crisis. The main indicator in assessing Governor Anies Baswedan's failure is how the Governor of DKI Jakarta spends public funds during the pandemic."

"The down payment and bank guarantee for the Formula E car race were paid by Anies when the government officially declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Anies Baswedan spent that much public money amidst the suffering of the people who were sick, died, and had their lives in dire straits due to the pandemic," said PSI Acting Chairman Giring Ganesha, better known as Giring Nidji, as quoted by detik.com on September 21, 2021.

The PSI has also consistently criticized Anies. They believe all of Anies' policies are starting to bring more harm than good. This situation has led the PSI to promise to monitor Anies' performance until he steps down on August 28, 2022.

This oversight is deemed crucial. Jakarta residents can see whether the leader they elected is truly working for the people. The PSI considers criticism of Anies a necessity, not out of hatred or anything else.

"As for us, PSI, of course, we will always be critical until the end of our term. We will compare what was promised during the campaign with what has been outlined in the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD), and see how much has been fulfilled and how much has not. We are currently reviewing that."

"From PSI's perspective, we hope that as we approach the end of our term, we can convey to the public what points we believe Mr. Anies will implement as Governor, which ones remain unfulfilled, and which ones should be continued by the Acting Governor," said Michael Victor Sianipar, Chairman of the Jakarta PSI Regional Executive Board, as quoted by tempo.co on August 28, 2022.