Political, Competitor Value Observer Anies Deliberately Issues Of Debt Ahead Of The Presidential Election

Anies Baswedan while still serving as Governor of DKI Jakarta (ANTARA)

Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University Jamiluddin Ritonga, assessed that the spread of the debt agreement of former DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, during the 2017 Pilkada, was very political.

According to him, the agreement letter was deliberately leaked with the aim of embarrassing Anies. Furthermore, so that people do not trust the presidential candidate (candidate) promoted by the NasDem Party.

"This indication can be seen from the time the debt agreement was leaked. This was deliberately leaked after Anies was declared a presidential candidate by Nasdem, Democrat and PKS," Jamiluddin told VOI, Saturday, February 11.

In fact, he continued, the agreement clearly stated that the debt would be returned if Anies lost the 2017 Pilkada. Meanwhile, the obligation would have died by itself if Anies won the DKI gubernatorial election.

"In fact, Anies and Sandiaga Uno won the 2017 Pilkada. That way, the debt agreement automatically does not apply," said Jamiluddin.

The former Dean of FIKOM IISIP Jakarta assessed that the leaker of the agreement letter actually knew that Anies had no debt related to the 2017 Pilkada. However, because of his political efforts to destroy Anies' reputation, the issue was still launched to the public. Moreover, the 2024 presidential election contestation is in sight. According to Jamiluddin, the debt issue actually does not need to enlarge if Sandiaga Uno, quickly explains the real problem. However, the Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Board of Trustees seemed to be floating the issue by stating that he had made it happen.

"Sandiaga Uno's answer shows that Anies does have a debt. This makes Anies' debt issue quickly enlarge and become public consumption," he explained.

"In fact, if you look at the agreement letter, Anies automatically has no debt when he was declared victorious in the 2017 Pilkada. This is of course known by Sandiaga Uno," he added.

So, Jamiluddin added, Sandiaga Uno's floating answer made Anies' haters use the issue to further corner the former Minister of Education and Culture. He considered that this issue was also used by Anies' competitor to bring down his image.

"So, it seems that there is a synergy between Anies' competitors to take advantage of the debt issue. Anies must be paralyzed in any way, including by packaging debt issues," said Jamiluddin.

Jamiluddin regretted that some of the country's political elites were still using black campaigns to hit their political opponents. He said that the politics of the horse-eating iron era was still used in today's era of openness.

"As a result, the debt issue to destroy Anies' reputation did not seem successful. In fact, there was a backfire effect on the parties who raised the issue," he said.

"This case is at least a lesson for politicians in throwing issues. Without the accuracy of playing the issue, the politician will be played with by his own issues. It is very dangerous for himself," concluded Jamiluddin Ritonga.