Reading The Political Steps Of Anies' Presence At The NasDem Party Congress

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan on a bicycle at the HI Roundabout (Photo: Twitter @aniesbaswedan)

JAKARTA - The NasDem Party will hold a congress in JIExpo, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta this weekend. In the opening ceremony of the congress, the party led by Surya Paloh invited DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and gave him the opportunity to speak in front of the party cadres.

The NasDem Party argued that Anies' invitation was not something special. This is because Anies was invited because he was the head of the area where this event was held.

A political observer from LIPI, Aisah Putri Budiarti, said that Anies's presence at this event was not just an ordinary invitation. For him, Anies' presence has its own meaning, namely the effort to capture potential figures for future party interests.

"What NasDem did by inviting Anies was not just a formality invitation to host but part of the party's strategic steps in capturing potential figures for the party's future interests," Putri said when contacted via text message by VOI Friday, November 8.

According to him, the NasDem Party is a party that works tactical and strategic. Political measures like this have been implemented several times. For example, during the 2018 West Java Pilkada, they were the first to declare support for Ridwan Kamil, and their 2019 Election was also the first to support Joko Widodo to become a presidential candidate. These two figures also emerged as champions.

Putri assessed that this kind of step was taken by the NasDem Party for two reasons. First, they want to forge initial political ties with a potential candidate to win the election before the other major parties recruit these figures. Second, to increase the position of political bids in the candidacy for regional elections or the presidential election with major parties.

"These two things are actually important. Not only to win the election, but also to strengthen the existence of the NasDem Party in the Indonesian political space," he explained.

For Anies' appearance at the NasDem Party Congress, Putri assessed that there were two political agendas that could be read. Prepared for the 2022 Jakarta Pilkada or the 2024 Presidential Election.

"After completing his term of governorship [2022], he is likely to take political steps, either for the 2024 Pilkada or the Presidential Election."

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"For this reason, this strategy was initiated by NasDem from now on to fill the void in Anies' party position for the next two years," added Putri.

Meanwhile, NasDem Party politician Saan Mustopa said Anies's presence at the party congress was not a signal for the 2022 Jakarta Pilkada or the 2024 Presidential Election. Anies' presence, said Saan, was to give his views to party cadres. This is because Anies is one of the people supported by the NasDem Party during the 2017 Jakarta Pilkada.

"Yes, it's still a long time, still five years. But yes, the process, we want regional heads endorsed by NasDem to be able to convey to all cadres what they are doing as regional heads endorsed by Nasdem," said Saan, Thursday, November 7.

He added that it was not only Anies who was given the stage at this congress. West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and NTT Governor Viktor Laiskodat were also given opportunities. However, for Anies, his party gave an exception because he was the host and one of the founders of the mass organization wing of the NasDem Party.