Failed In The Gubernatorial Election, Will Anies Baswedan's Star Get Rid Of?

Anies Baswedan greets residents at Car Free Day. (Diah Ayu Wardami VOI)

The name Anies Baswedan was once a magnet in the world of Indonesian politics. His popularity when leading Jakarta seemed to prepare a smooth path to a higher level of power. However, reality says otherwise. Failed to advance in the Jakarta gubernatorial election and canceled in the West Java gubernatorial election closed the door to his political ambitions. How did Anies, the figure who had been hailed, now face the harsh reality of politics full of twist? Is popularity enough to survive in tough political dynamics?

Starting from an academic, Anies entered the political stage without party support. His closeness to the big party began when he followed the Democratic Party convention in the era of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Despite failing, this step opened his way to an elite political circle. Anies later became a spokesman for Jokowi in the 2014 presidential election and was trusted as Minister of Education and Culture. This position did not last long, but was enough to put him on the national political radar.

After leaving the cabinet, Anies did not stop. He paired up with Sandiaga Uno and fought in the DKI Jakarta Pilkada. Supported by Gerindra and PKS, they managed to beat the incumbent. This victory confirms Anies' position as the main political player, not only as governor but also as a new political symbol with national potential.

When the Jakarta Governor's term ended, Anies' ambition was tested. He ran as a presidential candidate with Muhaimin Iskandar, competing against strong figures such as Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo. The defeat in the presidential election became a tough slap, but Anies did not give up. He tried his luck in the Jakarta gubernatorial election. This step seems to be a strategy to secure the power base. However, the hope is that it will run aground again. PDIP, which is expected to support, chose Pramono Anung as a candidate. This PDIP decision confirms how dynamic Indonesian politics is.

Anies' failure in the Jakarta gubernatorial election and cancellation in the last second of advancing in the West Java gubernatorial election shows that popularity is not the main weapon in politics. The support of big parties and the power of lobbying are more decisive. Anies' popularity during his time as Governor of Jakarta is not enough to guarantee his support. Power in politics is often determined by a mature alliance and strategy. Anies, with all his appeal, faces the fact that political games require more than just loyal followers; he needs allies ready to fight behind the scenes.

Smart leaders know when to step back for a moment to formulate a new strategy and wait for the right time to move. Anies could consider more strategic steps to restore his position, such as building a new alliance or even establishing his own political party, as he has signaled. Something that's not easy.

The story of Anies Baswedan is a portrait of Indonesia's political dynamics. Failing to step in the gubernatorial election is not only a matter of lack of support, but also about how power is played behind the scenes. As an academic, Anies should understand that he faces the fact that in politics, popularity can be an illusion, while true power is in the hands of those who know when to go forward, step back, or become allies.

Even though he is no longer at the forefront, Anies Baswedan remains active in the political arena. He understands that politics is not only a matter of quick victory, but a long game full of twists and turns. Strength lies in the ability to read the situation, maintain the alliance, and be patient waiting for the right moment to act. Anies may have failed in several steps, but his path is not over yet. The Indonesian political arena is still waiting for him, with new rounds ready to be written. To survive, Anies needs to consider radical steps, whether it joins a big party or immediately realizes his intention to establish a new party that can become a new force on the political stage. However, establishing and developing a party so that it exists is not easy. Many try, but not many have succeeded in doing so.