NasDem Defends Anies Baswedan Who Is Called Intolerant By PSI

Anies Baswedan/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The NasDem Party responded to the statement by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) that it was impossible to support DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate for 2024 because of the party's anti-intolerance and anti-corruption stance.

NasDem said that Anies was a tolerant figure. This can be seen from the level of public acceptance of the former Minister of Education and Culture.

"We can see that Anies Baswedan's level of acceptance is quite high. We can see it through the existing tools. Has Anies been rejected by the minor community? It doesn't feel like that. Is Anies discriminatory against them? It is not," said Chairman of the NasDem DPP Willy Aditya, Sunday, June 19.

According to Willy, neither a governor nor an individual figure of Anies shows such things. Instead, he said, Anies could enter all groups.

In addition, Willy continued, Anies also did not stumble with the problem of corruption despite the accusations. This is because until now there has been no evidence that Anies was involved in a corruption case.

"About allegations of corruption, there is an anti-corruption agency. There is the KPK, the prosecutor's office, and the police. If there is, just report it. In fact, it's not!" said Willy.

According to Willy, the accusations against Anies by PSI so far are baseless, both about intolerance and corruption. "On the other hand, what PSI is doing is merely a matter of propaganda. It's a kind of labeling effort against certain figures, in this case against Anies," he said.

Willy even accused PSI of compartmentalizing someone. In fact, he said, as a party that glorifies tolerance, PSI should embrace everyone without labeling them.

"If PSI is a tolerant party, what it should do is invite all parties to build a tolerant social life climate, which makes it difficult for anyone to be intolerant. Don't even accuse A or B of being intolerant. Such labeling, apart from feeling childish, also makes people who were previously tolerant can actually become intolerant," he concluded.

Previously, PSI's Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Grace Natalie, stated that she would not support Anies Baswedan running as a presidential candidate in the 2024 Election. Because PSI did not want to support candidates who had problems with intolerance and corruption.

"It is very clear that PSI will not support Mr. Anies in the 2024 presidential election. We adhere to the principles of anti-intolerance and anti-corruption. So, it is impossible for us to support candidates who have problems with two or one of these principles," said Grace Natalie in a written press statement, Sunday, June 19.

According to Grace, PSI adheres to the principles of anti-intolerance and anti-corruption which must be enforced as well as possible. "PSI refuses to be pragmatic and opportunistic," she stressed.

Grace said that PSI had selected nine names that would be champions to become presidential candidates in the 2024 election. Of the nine names, Grace said, there was no Anies Baswedan.

"The nine names from the selection of PSI friends in the area were included in the PSI People's Consultation. Mr. Anies' name was not there," said Grace.