JAKARTA - The momentum of Anies Baswedan's meeting with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) is considered as an early signal of consolidation and exploration towards the 2029 presidential election in the midst of the emergence of the Pramono Anung discourse as an alternative vice presidential candidate for Prabowo Subianto.
The executive director of Aljabar Strategic Indonesia, Arifki Chaniago, revealed that the meeting between Anies, SBY and AHY could not be seen as an ordinary meeting. Because, the long-standing relationship of the three figures will open a space for political communication that is full of meaning among the elite.
"This meeting cannot be seen as just a normal meeting. There is an effort to lure the possibility that the Anies-AHY duet will remain a viable option," he said, Sunday, April 5.
According to Arifki, Anies' closeness to the Democratic Party has a long track record. One of them can be seen when Anies attended the 2014 Democratic Party Presidential Convention which was initiated in the era of SBY's leadership. In addition, in the 2024 presidential election, the Anies-AHY pair was a major scenario before it was finally canceled at the final stage.
"This fact strengthens that the two have a political communication base that has been built. This means that Anies' relationship with the Democrats is not new. There has been a political history since 2014," he continued.
Arifki said the duet's chances would depend heavily on future political dynamics, especially regarding AHY's position in the Prabowo Subianto government.
If the Democratic Party does not get enough space in the government, then the possibility of building a new axis with Anies could be open again ahead of the 2029 presidential election.
"This situation can also be read as a signal. In the midst of the fluidity of Prabowo's political communication with various figures such as Megawati and Jokowi, AHY seems to want to prepare a political option. Anies can be one of the 'umbrellas', as well as AHY for Anies so that his political opportunities remain alive until 2029," he explained.
However, the biggest challenge for the duet lies in the political ambitions of each figure.
Both Anies and AHY have bargaining positions as presidential candidates.
This is what must be found a meeting point, even in politics, compromise is always possible if interests meet.
Arifki added that the meeting which took place at SBY's residence had a symbolic meaning.
The reason is that Puri Cikeas is often an important space in the political direction of the Democratic Party.
"If this meeting takes place warmly, it means that political communication is not only open, but also gets a serious space. It is not yet a political decision, but it is strong enough to be read as an initial step in the possibility of the Anies-AHY duet reappearing in the 2029 presidential election," he added.
Previously, the Executive Director of ABC Research & Consulting, Erizal, assessed that the Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung could become an alternative vice presidential candidate (cawapres) for Prabowo Subianto in the 2029 presidential election (pilpres).
According to him, Pramono's figure could be considered by Prabowo if the Chairman of the Gerindra Party did not choose to pair up with Gibran Rakabuming Raka or Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono in 2029.
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