Fahri Hamzah asks Anies not to participate in the 2019 presidential election in today's history, February 3, 2018

Fahri Hamzah when meeting Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo on an occasion. (Twitter/@fahrihamzah)

History today, eight years ago, February 3, 2018, political figure, Fahri Hamzah asked Anies Baswedan not to participate in the 2019 presidential election. He asked Anies to focus on Jakarta affairs only. Fahri assessed that Jakarta's problems were rife. Not to mention Anies' political promises that have not been completed to the people of Jakarta.

Previously, Anies' name was widely discussed to enter the presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election. Anies is considered capable of attracting many votes. This condition is because of his high popularity when leading Jakarta. Prabowo Subianto was fascinated by making him a presidential candidate against Jokowi.

Prabowo Subianto and Anies Baswedan have had political differences. The different path came in the 2014 presidential election contest. Anies supported Joko Widodo (Jokowi) against Prabowo. Anies moved to be the spokesperson for Jokowi's winning team and won.

This step made Anies able to taste the political post as Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud). However, Anies served for a short time. Anies then began to look for other political posts so that he could continue to exist in the political world.

He started looking at the 2017 DKI Jakarta Regional Election. Interestingly, he approached his political opponents first: Prabowo and the Gerindra Party. Prabowo also did not mind the past. He supported Anies and his partner, Sandiaga Uno.

Anies Baswedan inspects the flood on Jalan Rusun Pesakih Cengkareng, West Jakarta, Thursday (2/1/2020). (ANTARA/Devi Nindy)

The support brought a big influence in the 2017 gubernatorial election. As a result, Anies and Sandi were able to come out as winners and become the new Governor and Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta. The victory made Anies's victory continue to be a big concern for the mass media.

Even though Anies's moves are sometimes controversial, such as wanting to legalize becak on the road in Jakarta. Anies also received a big welcome when he started to improve public transportation. He then created closeness with many parties with an embracing politics.

Religious circles accepted it. Village communities to cities are expecting his presence. This condition makes Anies' popularity increase. Anies immediately entered the cawapres exchange in the 2019 Presidential Election.

Prabowo himself had expressed an interest in partnering with Anies. However, Anies refused because he had just taken office as the governor of DKI Jakarta.

"Anies said he rejected Prabowo's offer because he wanted to concentrate on improving DKI Jakarta. According to Anies, there are many promises to his voters, Jakarta residents, who have not been fulfilled. The invitation to become a vice presidential candidate is an honor. Mr. Prabowo appreciates the attitude of holding commitments."

"Anies' refusal to accompany Prabowo apparently entered the radar of a number of parties who want to build a new axis. The presidential election registration is getting closer. They don't want to be stuck on the Prabowo and Joko Widodo bloc and don't carry their own candidates," said Hussein Abri Dongoran in his article in Tempo magazine titled Bubar Jalan Poros Ketiga (2018).

Political speculation is getting wilder. Many consider Anies to participate in the 2019 presidential election with a new axis. This condition has received attention from many parties. Fahri Hamzah, one of them. The Indonesian political figure then asked Anies not to participate in the 2019 presidential election on February 3, 2018.

He emphasized that Anies was focused on building Jakarta alone. Fahri considers the issues in Jakarta to be many and wide. Anies was also asked to immediately fix them one by one. He did not want Anies to be busy participating in the presidential election and his promises to the people of Jakarta were soon forgotten.

"So think about Jakarta alone. There was a question about hungry busung in Jakarta, it was just a mess, don't go anywhere else," said Fahri as quoted by lamankompas.com, February 3, 2018.