PKB 'Sells' Anies Baswedan As Cawapres Cak Imin In The Red Ant Coalition, Observer: Public Can Be Disrespectful

The Red Ant Coalition between PKB and PKS/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Political observer of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Adi Prayitno, highlighted the circulation of posters depicting PKB General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin and DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan as a presidential-vice presidential candidate from the Red Ant Coalition.

According to Adi, the poster made by PKB by embedding the PKS logo is part of a "trade" strategy to attract other political parties to join the coalition formed with PKS.

"Can the Red Ants Coalition attract other parties to join? It's just a matter of testing the material," said Adi, Monday, June 13.

In addition, Adi continued, the name Anies also seemed to be 'sold' to increase the electability of PKM and Cak Imin.

He also considered that the two pairs were not ideal because the presidential candidates were far lower in electability than the vice presidential candidates. So according to the Executive Director of Indonesian Political Parameters, the PKB strategy could make the public less supportive of this pair.

"Instead of increasing public respect, it could actually make the public even more disrespectful. Because Anies' fashion is projected by the presidential candidate, not the vice presidential candidate," said Adi.

It is known, recently that PKB gave a signal about the figures of presidential and vice presidential candidates who would be carried by the Red Ant Coalition with PKS. This signal can be seen from the upload of the Deputy Chairperson of the PKB, Jazilul Fawaid, on his Instagram account @jazilulfawaid_real, Sunday, June 12.

Jazilul appeared to be displaying posters with pictures of General Chair Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin) and DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan as presidential and vice presidential candidates complete with PKB and PKS logos in the corners.

"United for the people. Candidates for president and vice president in 2024. Coalition of Red Ants," reads the text embedded in the center of the poster.