Backed by Labour Party in Jakarta Election, Anies Baswedan Expresses Gratitude

Anies Baswedan and the President of the Labor Party Said Iqbal (third from the right) after gathering at the Head Office of the Labor Party Winning in Jakarta, Sunday (25/8/2024). (ANTARA/HO Private Doc)

JAKARTA - Former DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan expressed his gratitude to the Labor Party for carrying him forward in the 2024 DKI Jakarta Regional Head Election (Pilkada) contestation.

"We thank you that the Labor Party has given us confidence to continue our duties in Jakarta," he said after conducting a gathering at the Labor Party's Winning Center Office in Jakarta, Sunday.

Anies expressed his appreciation for the trust given by the Labor Party to him to return to upholding equality and justice through various policies in Jakarta.

"I express my appreciation for the very noble trust, God willing, it will be maintained as well as possible. And as we fought together in Jakarta yesterday, the same, equality and justice in various policies in Jakarta," he said, quoted by Antara.

Despite receiving full support from the Labor Party, Anies said that his party was still waiting for the process from other supporting parties to meet the requirements for advancing in the regional elections. The DKI Jakarta KPU has set a threshold for the nomination of governors and candidates for deputy governors of DKI Jakarta at 7.5 percent of valid votes in the elections.

"Everything is still in process. There has been no final decision because we are waiting for a decision from the big party which in total makes the fulfillment of the 7.5 percent requirement can be fulfilled," Anies added.

On the same occasion, the President of the Labor Party Said Iqbal hoped that Anies Baswedan could become a candidate for governor of Jakarta according to the decision mechanism of the Constitutional Court (MK).

Said Iqbal is also waiting for an invitation to join another big party because he does not have enough votes to be able to carry his own candidate.

"Of course we are waiting for another party, especially a big party, because we don't have enough votes to support it directly. Of course we are waiting for a big party," he said.

Said Iqbal also believes that Anies and his team can convince other parties to meet the threshold requirements and advance to the Jakarta Pilkada.

"Hopefully, we hope that other parties, especially parties whose votes are bigger, we hope that once again, we can carry Mr. Anies," said Said Iqbal.