Examining Anies And Ganjar's Different Reactions About Entering The NasDem Presidential Candidate Exchange

Anies Baswedan/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The names of the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan and the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, have been included in the presidential candidate market, which will be carried by the Nasdem Party in the 2024 presidential election.

However, the two regional heads had different reactions when asked for a response about the names of those who would become the idol candidates for the majority of the NasDem Regional Leadership Council (DPW) throughout Indonesia.

Anies, when responding, expressed his gratitude to NasDem. For this non-party political figure, this is an honor that deserves appreciation.

"This is an honor, so I want to express my appreciation, thank you, and respect to the NasDem DPW who proposed it and also the NasDem Party DPP. We convey our respect and appreciation to the General Chairperson, Mr. Surya Paloh, and all ranks," said Anies after closing the DKI Governor's Cup in Pancoran, Jakarta, Saturday, June 18.

Anies said NasDem had started a new breakthrough, namely to provide space for regional leaders to participate in determining and proposing names of presidential candidates. However, Anies was reluctant to clearly state whether he was willing to be nominated as a presidential candidate from the NasDem Party before his term in DKI was over.

"I am currently still completing assignments in Jakarta until October, so of course, our focus will continue to ensure that all plans in Jakarta can run well. This is the main commitment," he said.

Meanwhile, Ganjar maintains his attitude more when asked about his name being included in the presidential candidate market that will be carried by NasDem.

When asked for a response, Ganjar confirmed his commitment as a PDIP cadre. Even though there will be another party that will carry him, he will not budge.

"Thank you for getting the honor, but I'm the PDI-P. What are the applications? Do you really want to get married. The party is the PDI-P, the headquarters is the PDI-P," said Ganjar when meeting at the PDIP DPP office, Lenteng Agung, Jakarta, Thursday, June 16.

Seeing the different reactions of Anies and Ganjar, political observer from Al-Azhar University, Ujang Komarudin, thinks that Anies and Ganjar should have different reactions. Anies was happy when he responded because he did not have the burden of being tied to any party.

"Anies, when he received a presidential nomination from NasDem, of course, he would gladly accept it because there was no burden. Not to mention, Anies is also the highest name, who was chosen by 32 DPW, compared to Ganjar who only had 29 DPW. The position above Ganjar made Anies happy and happy. I am confident that NasDem cadres at the provincial level do support him compared to other presidential candidates," Ujang told VOI on Monday, June 20.

Meanwhile, Ganjar cannot be as free as Anies. Ujang said, Ganjar realized he was still bound as a PDIP cadre. If Ganjar is not careful in reacting, he could make PDIP Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri and PDIP DPP angry and could be given sanctions for disobeying the party.

"Why isn't Ganjar happy when his name enters the Nasdem presidential candidate? Because he is tied to PDIP. Like it or not, like it or not, Ganjar has to act like that. If Ganjar immediately says yes, he will definitely be banned and hostile to PDIP," explained Ujang.