When Asked By Prabowo, His Smile Is Heavy, Mas Anies Calls It Ordinary

Anies Baswedan (Photo: Diah Ayu/VOI)

JAKARTA - Anies Baswedan responded to the statement by the elected president of the 2024 General Election, Prabowo Subianto, who mentioned his smile while attending the appointment of the elected president and vice president by the KPU. Prabowo said Mas Anies' smile looked heavy. Because, he also felt it when he lost the 2019 presidential election. Anies emphasized that what he felt was not the same as Prabowo during the election five years ago. "If that's the case, ask him, he's the one who did it. If we are normal," said Anies at the Indonesian KPU office, Jalan Imam Bonjol, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, April 24. After being appointed as president-elect, Prabowo approached Anies who congratulated him. Prabowo also hugged Anies while saying something. However, Anies said that there was nothing important to talk about with Prabowo. "It's normal. There was nothing special earlier, nothing was discussed either," said Anies. On that occasion, Anies emphasized that his presence with Cak Imin was a form of respect for the state process after the implementation of the 2024 presidential election. However, Anies is still leveraging the evaluation of the implementation of the 2024 General Election which was alluded to in the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK), especially statements of dissenting opinions or different opinions of the three Constitutional Court judges. "Many notes from there are one of the keys to improving the quality of our democracy in the future. Various kinds of intersections in the Constitutional Court must be a concern for the city of correction together," explained Anies. Previously, Prabowo joked by mentioning the names of Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar in his speech after being officially appointed as president and vice president elected for the 2024 General Election with Gibran Rakabuming Raka. To Anies and Cak Imin who also attended the KPU determination, Prabowo admitted that he had experienced defeat in the 2019 presidential election contestation. Although Anies and Cak Imin made a smile when they saw him declared president-elect, Prabowo knew it was hard to do. "The contest has been completed, the match is over. We are all tired and maybe some of us are dissatisfied and disappointed. Mas Anies, Mas Muhaimin, I was in your position. I know your smile is very heavy," said Prabowo.

A room filled with officials from state institutions, leaders of political parties, and the ranks of the campaign team laughed at Prabowo's statement. Gibran, who stood beside Prabowo, also smiled while applauding. However, Prabowo continued, this is indeed the condition of political competition. According to him, the attitude of the election participants who sharply criticize each other against their competitors is indeed needed by the people in determining the choice of the candidate for leader.