PKS Admits That He Once Offered Anies To Join His Party, But Deliberately

DKI Governor Anies Baswedan (Photo: Wardhany T/VOI)

JAKARTA - Secretary of the DKI Jakarta PKS Regional Leadership Council (DPW), Abdul Aziz, admitted that his party had offered DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to join as a cadre. However, Aziz said, Anies refused an invitation to join the PKS and remained an independent politician. "Yes, it's been (proud), really. What do Mr. Anies think if he joins PKS, that's how he responds, 'yes, let it go, sir. I'm struggling on a professional path'," Aziz said when contacted, Wednesday, October 5. At that time, Anies admitted to Aziz that he did not want to be bound by a particular party. Because, it can label Anies a certain stigma according to the label of the party. PKS also received Anies' answer. "What is important for us is not Pak Anies, whether he is a PKS cadre or not, but how do we want to nominate people. Even if he wants PKS cadres, other party cadres, or professionals, how can he save this nation, it is much more important," explained Aziz. For Aziz, it is much better when public officials such as the governor and president even have to give up the party's attributes while serving as a leader. "He must stand as a neutral person and support all political parties to be able to advance to support this country to be able to progress, not to attach importance to one of the political parties, because if he attaches importance to one of the political parties, it is very dangerous in the leadership position. He will lose his neutrality," he explained. For information, the NasDem Party appointed Anies Baswedan as the 2024 presidential candidate. The declaration was delivered at NasDem Tower, Gondangdia, Central Jakarta on Monday, October 3. "The choice of the NasDem presidential candidate is the best of the best. This is how nasdem finally gave a figure, Anies Baswedan," said the chairman of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, in front of Anies Baswedan. Surya said Anies was the best person. So, there is no reason for the NasDem Party not to nominate it. "Why Anies Baswedan? The answer is, why not the best," he said. Responding, Anies admitted that he was ready to become a presidential candidate promoted by the NasDem Party. Anies believes that his advancement as a presidential candidate will serve him. Therefore, the former Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) will continue to strive. "We accept Bismillah, we are ready. By asking for all prayers, God willing, this long journey will not be a tough journey but a light journey. We prepare this effort as worship," said Anies.