Exclusive, Despite Lacking Votes To Nominate Anies Baswedan, Hidayat Nur Wahid Confirms That PKS Continues To Lobby Coalition Parties In Presidential Election

According to the Deputy Chair of the PKS Deliberative Council, Hidayat Nur Wahid, nominating Anies Baswedan and Sohibul Iman is the aspiration of PKS cadres. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has officially announced its support for Anies Baswedan as governor candidate paired with Sohibul Iman (AMAN). According to the Deputy Chair of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Syuro Council, Dr. H. Muhammad Hidayat Nur Wahid, Lc, MA, they only have 18 votes, they still need 4 more votes as a minimum requirement to nominate candidates for governor and deputy governor. Now PKS and Anies will lobby the coalition parties in the 2024 presidential election to run together in the Jakarta Pilkada.

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Anies Rasyid Baswedan, SE, MPP, PhD. Indeed, he is not a PKS cadre, but his electability and high popularity make PKS interested in carrying him. In fact, it was not only PKS who was interested, PKB even first proposed pairing Anies with Kaesang Pangarep for the Jakarta regional elections. Meanwhile, PDIP is shy about being interested in the figure of the former Minister of Education and Culture in the Working Cabinet during President Jokowi's first term.

The track record of the relationship between Anies and PKS was recorded in the 2017 Jakarta regional elections. At that time, said Hidayat Nur Wahid, with a big heart, PKS made sacrifices to clear the way for Anies Baswedan. "When Anies appeared in the Jakarta gubernatorial election and was finally elected, PKS made a sacrifice by attracting its cadre Mardani Ali Sera so that Anies could enter the gubernatorial candidate market. And the person who signed the withdrawal was Sohibul Iman, his relationship with Anies has been established for a long time. "So this is not a wholesale problem, but there is chemistry," he said.

Indeed, for the 2024 Jakarta regional elections, not a single party has a "golden ticket" to nominate candidates for governor and vice governor. PKS, which won the 2024 legislative election, only got 18 votes. A minimum of 4 more seats are needed to be able to fulfill the requirements for carrying governor and deputy governor candidates. This means that PKS must form a coalition with other parties.

PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu, said Hidayat Nur Wahid, has held a meeting with the General Chair of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh. During the meeting, Surya Paloh invited PKS to announce Anies Baswedan as cagub candidate, and they would follow later. Meanwhile, PKB, which was also a coalition partner with NasDem in the last presidential election, is still being lobbied. “The PKS President has spoken directly with Surya Paloh. That's our benchmark," he said to Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Irfan Medianto from VOI who met him at the Nusantara 1 DPR RI Building, Senayan, Central Jakarta, not long ago. Here's the excerpt.

Deputy Chairman of the PKS Deliberative Council, Hidayat Nur Wahid, revealed that his relationship with Anies Baswedan has been around for a long time. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)

PKS brought forward Anies Baswedan and Sohibul Iman, this action received various responses, the most vocal came from PKB, PKS's coalition partner in the last presidential election, what was your response?

What the PKS President did was to announce that Anies Baswedan would be paired with Sohibul Iman, if referring to public expectations, it was a bit late. The youth community, mothers, activists, religious groups, and so on have been waiting for PKS to announce its gubernatorial candidate. When it was not announced, rumors emerged that there was certain pressure. PKS is a cadre party, so it listens to the aspirations of cadres, the people and the people. Since May 25 2024, the PKS leadership has decided to propose Anies Baswedan as a candidate for governor, accompanied by PKS cadres. Only then on June 20 2024 was it announced by the PKS DPP. So we are considered late in announcing this.

Why was it only published on June 20 2024, almost a month after it was decided?

We want to carry out a public test to see whether what the PKS DPP has decided is in accordance with the aspirations of the community. It turned out that they appreciated including the non-Muslim community. On June 19 2024, the Indonesian Church Community Association came to the PKS DPP. Led by Pastor Shephard Supit, they expressed their aspirations for PKS to nominate Pak Anies again as a candidate for governor of Jakarta. This corrects various framings that have existed so far as if PKS is not liked by non-Muslims. After we announced the response, the responses were very mixed, especially when Sohibul Iman's name was announced as a candidate for deputy governor.

The most reactive in responding to this announcement was PKB, they think PKS is buying up, Anies is a representative of PKS, while his representative is also from PKS, what is your response?

We appreciate the aspirations that arise. But the first person to mention Anies' name as a candidate for governor of Jakarta was PKB. His partner at that time was Kaesang. If they are allowed to discuss why PKS is not allowed. The question of Anies being identical to PKS, let's test it. In the last presidential election, PKB, PKS and NasDem nominated Anies. The results of the 2024 legislative election in Jakarta, PKS increased by 2 seats, while PKB increased 100% from 5 to 10 seats. DPR RI PKS did not increase, while PKB increased 200% from Jakarta, from 0 to 2 seats. So more voters in Jakarta chose PKB than PKS. PKB has had more of a coattail effect than PKS in Jakarta. So what is the evidence for calling Anies synonymous with PKS?

Organizationally, Anies and we are close. As he is close to many parties. I first met him when he was Chairman of the MPR. During my visit to America I met Anies, at that time he was still studying. When Anies appeared in the Jakarta gubernatorial election and was finally elected, PKS made a sacrifice by attracting its cadre Mardani Ali Sera so that Anies could enter the gubernatorial candidate market. And the person who signed the withdrawal was Sohibul Iman, so the relationship with Anies has been around for a long time. So this is not a wholesale problem, but there is chemistry. The relationship with Anies has been going on for a long time. If you look at the 2024 election results, Anies is not identical to PKS. Precisely with PKB. This is an opportunity for PKB to make Anies a cadre or leader.

Is this AMAN pair a fixed price or can it still be tweaked?

In principle, we have stated that they are AMAN pair, is there anyone who wants to move from AMAN to NO AMAN? Hehehe. This is our ijtihad to provide a serious partner to lead Jakarta. Sohibul Iman is the former President of PKS. And when he led the PKS vote rose tremendously. In the 2014 election, the PKS vote was more than 8.4 million and after he led the PKS vote rose to more than 11 million. He successfully led PKS. He became Chancellor of Paramadina replacing Nurcholish Madjid. He studied at IPB then continued with Masters and Doctoral degrees in Japan. We provide candidates with excellent qualifications. Sohibul Iman meets the criteria to lead Jakarta, which will become a global city after no longer being the nation's capital.

When PKS nominated Anies Baswedan and Sohibul Iman as candidate pairs for Governor and Deputy Governor of Jakarta, according to the Deputy Chair of the PKS Deliberative Council, Hidayat Nur Wahid, other parties could form a coalition or nominate their own candidates. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)

PKS only has 18 seats, it needs at least 4 more seats to be able to nominate a candidate for governor, which parties have been approached?

We really can't work alone. PKS and Anies will try to find coalition partners. Anies was very happy with PKS's decision with his arguments. He was grateful for the PKS decision. We are confident that we can collaborate with coalition partners to support the AMAN pair. He wants to continue his first success. I'm sure Anies doesn't want to lose again like yesterday's presidential election. PKS President Ahmad Syaikhu has met NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh. And his arrival was accepted, PKS is welcome to announce it first and they will follow. If NasDem joins it will be more than the target, especially if PKB and PDIP are too.

For NasDem, is there a black and white agreement?

Not yet, but we understand the conditions. And cooperation with NasDem was established in the yesterday's presidential election. That is a big capital to trust each other.

The Secretary General of NasDem said okay with Anies, but their representatives seem to have other suggestions, how to respond to this?

The PKS President has spoken directly with Surya Paloh. That's just our benchmark.

Some say that what PKS is doing is a fait accompli for other parties, your response?

There is no fait accompli from us, everything is open. Each party (which meets the requirements) can nominate its candidate, if they agree to go together, thank God. If not, we can't force it. All parties definitely want to win, and we offer the right partner for Jakarta. Moreover, there are PKS cadres, we will go all out.

You really believe in Sohibul Iman, why not just make him a candidate for governor?

We have to be rational and look at the existing situation and conditions. Anies' electability is very high, we don't need to confront ourselves with this situation. We nominate Sohibul Iman as a representative, meaning we are not selfish, as in the previous Jakarta regional elections. We want to bring great benefits to the citizens of Jakarta. We will continue Anies' success in leading Jakarta. There is an operational program for places of worship that is recognized by religious communities, even those in North Sulawesi are jealous of the program promoted by Anies Baswedan.

So the rationale for PKS is supporting Anies Baswedan and proposing a representative candidate from PKS?

Yes, it is normal for the election winner in an area if his cadres become leadership candidates in the regional elections. We do not want a repeat of the 2017 experience. At that time PKS supported the candidate who was finally elected, but we didn't get anything. It was promised to be deputy governor when Sandiaga Uno was no longer deputy, but it didn't happen.

What else does PKS want to entrust to the AMAN partner?

We hope that Anies Baswedan will continue to successfully lead Jakarta when he becomes Governor. Of course, Jakarta is no longer like it used to be. However, many successful programs can still be continued with modifications here and there. Even though its status is not the capital of the country, I am confident that in the next 30 years Jakarta will still be the capital of Indonesia. It's not easy to move the capital. Prabowo's inauguration will still be in Jakarta. Anies and Sohibul Iman have the competence to lead Jakarta which will become a global city.

Floods and traffic jams are still acute problems in Jakarta, what is the message for AMAN partners so they can overcome this problem?

Jakarta will be included in an agglomeration area, so it will not be alone. It will be related to Depok, Bekasi, Tangerang and even Cianjur. If this area can be managed constructively, I am sure these two problems will be resolved. Regarding traffic jams, most of the workers in Jakarta come from agglomeration areas. Regarding flooding, if it is handled jointly it can also be resolved, because the upstream is in Bogor. The AMAN pair is not an antithesis to the elected leader. They could be part of efforts to make Prabowo-Gibran's leadership a success. Because PKS and Anies have worked together with Prabowo, their positions do not have to be antagonistic and opposing, but concurrent and synergistic in building the nation and state.

We pray that it will be realized, but is there still a long way to get there?

Yes, we understand, whoever is quick doesn't necessarily get it. And whoever is late is late. In the teachings of Islam, good intentions must be implemented immediately. If we want to continue the Anies program which has proven successful and propose Sohibul Iman, why should it be postponed? If necessary, hurry. And that includes us absorbing aspirations from the grassroots who want Anies to be re-nominated.

Because of this action, there are parties who are not happy, is that another matter?

This is part of political dynamics. In time, I am sure there will be the best solution, a win-win solution. Just getting there requires a process. That is part of the art of communication, politics will seek the greater benefit of the people. Hopefully the AMAN pair's victory can be a blessing for all. As Anies Baswedan said, he will return to making Jakarta; the city progresses, the citizens are happy.

When announcing the AMAN pair, the PKS President called on the cadres and administrators present to make the AMAN pair a success, for the grassroots what strategy will be implemented?

PKS does not work just before the regional or presidential elections, our cadres work and campaign all the time. When the time comes, all we have to do is socialize at the grassroots about the actions that must be taken to win the AMAN pair.

Is Jakarta still prone to money politics?

We had experience in 2017 when we won the pair Anies and Sandi. Jakarta residents are critical and economically better off than other areas. But we remain alert to actions that lead to money politics. We and all parties will monitor this. My advice is to compete fairly in Jakarta. No manipulation, intimidation and cheating, etc. The Jakarta regional elections must be an example for other regions in democracy.

 

Hidayat Nur Wahid Stays Fit With Sport

The Deputy Chairman of the PKS Deliberative Council, Hidayat Nur Wahid, really maintains a balance between political and sporting activities, so that his health remains excellent. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)

For Dr. H. Muhammad Hidayat Nur Wahid, Lc, MA, spirituality and maintaining health and fitness go hand in hand. This has become a habit in his family. The fitness he achieves now comes from that dimension. It is not surprising that at this age he is still fit and healthy.

“Thank God, I grew up in a family that prioritizes good religious spirituality, but also pays attention to health and fitness. My father and grandfather used to do sports and also recite the Koran and help the community. Religious studies, sunnah fasting, tahajjud prayers have become our family's habits," said the man born in Prambanan, Klaten, Central Java, April 8 1960.

According to Hidayat, you must have the courage to set aside time amidst the busy schedule that occurs every day. “We must have the courage to take time to exercise even though we are busy endlessly. If we follow the rhythm of activities there will be no end," he said.

He chose badminton as a sport that he plays regularly. "I still use the old school badminton count, where the game is 15. So it's more fun because it's tough to get points," said Hidayat, who played at the DPR RI sports center with DPR RI members and DPR RI secretariat staff.

Because badminton is a high impact sport, Hidayat tries to minimize risks by warming up adequately. One more thing, he won't force himself. "You have to know yourself, don't sway when you're playing, if you can't catch it, don't turn around. If we have a meeting late at night or are too tired, don't play badminton in the morning," said the Deputy Chair of the MPR RI.

Sport is Worship

For the Deputy Chair of the PKS Deliberative Council, Hidayat Nur Wahid, sport is an activity of worship, he will prepare himself in such a way as to get maximum benefits from sport. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)

There is a philosophy that Hidayat Nur Wahid has always adhered to, that sport is worship. “Because sport is a form of worship, we have to prepare well. And remember badminton is a sport, not a fight. If you play sports you can get sprained and get sick," said the man who is a lecturer in Islamic studies at Muhammadiyah University in Jakarta, a postgraduate lecturer at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta and also at Asy-Syafi'iyah University in Jakarta.

Because he makes sport a form of worship, he always prepares himself as best as possible. Just like when we want to perform other acts of worship. "If we have prepared well, do sports well, we are sure the results will be good," he explained.

As a badminton lover, he is very fond of Indonesia's mainstay badminton legend; Rudi Hartono. “Rudi Hartono is a phenomenal player. When he ruled the world of badminton, I was still small. At that time in my village there was no television. We listened to the match broadcast on the neighbor's radio. It's really exciting, even if you can only listen," said Hidayat, who also likes Anthony Sinisuka Ginting's performance.

“Indeed, he likes to go up and down in his game. But when he is at the peak of his performance, Ginting is an extraordinary player. In doubles, I like the game of the pair Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan. Even though they are seniors, they can maintain their achievements. Not inferior to young players," said the man who is usually called Ustadz.

Training with National Player

Don't force yourself, that's the tip of the Deputy Chair of the PKS Deliberative Council, Hidayat Nur Wahid in playing badminton. (Photo: Bambang Eros, DI: Raga Granada VOI)

Hidayat and the DPR RI badminton team once trained with Indonesia's proud men's doubles pair; Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan. "We have also been sparring partners with Hendra and Ahsan," said Hidayat, who called on the younger generation to be busy and exercise.

Apart from sport, for Hidayat badminton is also a means of strengthening friendship. “The PKS team and I once held badminton tournaments in Jakarta and Solo. Through this event we can strengthen friendship. So it's not just exercise," he said, adding that focusing on exercise can reduce the impact of exposure to online gambling and pornography.

Another thing is that when playing badminton, he continued, he could laugh out loud and scream. “When we are on the field we can scream freely. When I play, I'm still oriented towards winning, but I don't have to use all my strength, I can also use tricks and deception," said Hidayat, who apart from badminton, also does stationary cycling and does gymnastics at home when he can't play badminton.

He is grateful that he can still eat a lot of food. "But I prefer traditional Javanese food, such as tempeh and tofu, gudeg, botok, lodeh, pecel, urap, and so on," said Hidayat Nur Wahid, who took the time to return to his hometown in Prambanan when there were activities in Solo or Yogyakarta.

"When Anies Baswedan appeared in the Jakarta gubernatorial election and was finally elected, PKS made a sacrifice by withdrawing its cadre Mardani Ali Sera so that Anies could enter the gubernatorial candidate market. And the person who signed the withdrawal was Sohibul Iman, so the relationship with Anies has been around for a long time. So this is not a matter of temporal interest, but a matter of chemistry,"

Hidayat Nur Wahid