Ready To Lose, Ready To Win: AHY Loses Honorably In The 2017 DKI Jakarta Gubernatorial Election

Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murni at the 2017 DKI Jakarta Gubernatorial Election Debate. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The appearance of Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) in the political map of the 2017 DKI Jakarta gubernatorial election is full of dynamics. The son of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) was paired with Sylviana Murni. However, the affairs of undergoing political contestation are not easy.

AHY has strong opponents like Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok). He also had to compete with Anies Baswedan. AHY was confident and not afraid. This condition made him referred as a dark horse.

AHY's footsteps followed the line of his family's career as a soldier without a doubt. AHY studied through the Military Academy (Akmil). His existence of studying at Akmil has received a lot of praise. He managed to follow in the footsteps of his father, SBY as an outstanding student.

AHY was able to equalize his father's achievements by successfully leaving as the best graduate of Military Academy. AHY also won the Adhi Makayasa award in 2000. This condition makes people predict AHY's career will be successful in the military world. However, fate's letter said otherwise.

AHY's skills are actually considered more important in the world of politics. AHY wants to be made a surprise in the political world. AHY will be promoted to the new Jakarta Governor Candidate in the 2017 gubernatorial election. He also had to make difficult decisions.

AHY then resigned from the military world. His last rank was the major. AHY's decision was regretted by many parties. However, the decision was fully supported by the Cikeas Coalition: the Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party, and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

AHY was finally paired with Sylviana Murni, who in fact was the Deputy Governor for Tourism and Culture of DKI Jakarta. The Agus-Sylvi pair was immediately promoted. Both of them brought jargon: Jakarta for the People.

They then got number one. Number two at that time was inhabited by the Ahok-Djarot pair, and number three Anies-Sandiaga Uno.

"Frankly, it is with a heavy heart, because for more than 15 years I have served in the world of soldiers, in the ranks of the TNI that I love and I am proud of. But I say that I am ready to do other services, namely in the world of politics and government. I am actually from the TNI and I also learn and have the principle that serving the community, the state and the nation do not recognize the deadline and area of assignment. "

"Syivana Murni's mother and I are determined and trying our best to make DKI Jakarta more advanced, safer, more orderly, the economy is growing, the people are more prosperous, the social gap is not getting worse, law and justice are getting more and more upright, we can continue to fight crime, our environment is being maintained, the government is being managed more and more orderly," Agus said in his speech at the DPP Democratic Party as quoted by the ANTARA website, September 24, 2016.

AHY's appearance in the political map of the 2017 DKI Jakarta Pilkada contestation shocked many parties. He was referred as a dark horse. There are those who support it. There are also those who criticize. Those who support think that Jakarta really needs young figures and integrity.

Those who criticize think AHY is only moving based on the lust of power alone. His military career was sacrificed. Victory is not necessarily achieved. However, AHY considers all criticism to be useful input.

AHY likes to consider criticism as fuel to be a black horse. Moreover, his opponent is not an ordinary political figure. Ahok is known for his integrity as an anti-corruption leader who is firm. Anies is also a former Minister of Education and Culture from the 2014-2016 era who cannot be underestimated.

Program is provided. AHY tries to introduce his program to Jakarta residents. AHY wants to present direct assistance to poor families in Jakarta. he also wants to reduce unemployment and create many jobs. He wants to create many Jakartans to become entrepreneurs.

AHY's idea outline is interesting. However, AHY's opponent is no less interesting. Another shortfall in AHY is that he is new to politics. His face is still foreign. His work especially. Many survey institutions have started to do his research. AHY is always in the most distended position.

The prediction occurred during the voting on February 15, 2017. AHY was only able to get 17.06 percent of the vote. Ahok's opponent won 42.99 percent and Anies got 39.95 percent.

AHY did not escape defeat. He chivalrally acknowledged it. He also became the perfect embodiment of his ready-to-loss attitude, ready to win in political contestation. However, AHY's presence actually gave rise to a voter (changing voice) that could benefit or harm the remaining candidates in the second round. It's true that AHY's vote became the determinant of Anies-Sandi's victory in the second round of the DKI Jakarta gubernatorial election.

"Criminally and gracefully, I accept defeat in the DKI Jakarta gubernatorial election. Mrs. Sylvi and I congratulate the number two candidate pair, namely Mr. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, as well as the number three pair, namely Mr. Anies and Mr. Sandi," said AHY as quoted by the coverage page 6.com, February 15, 2017.