JAKARTA– A South Jakarta executive, Aulia Taufani, stated that if Anies Baswedan decides to run again for Governor of Jakarta in the 2024 election, he must carefully consider his position. First, he needs to secure a nomination from a political party in Jakarta.

"Second, Mr. Anies must also realize that the current conditions in Jakarta are different from when he was governor before. Now, Jakarta's status is no longer the national capital but only a business city named the Special Region of Jakarta (DKJ)," said Aulia during a discussion in Jakarta on Saturday evening, June 1, 2024.

Aulia noted that if the new capital city (IKN) really becomes the national capital, as a governor, Anies would need a new concept. For him, signs of this are visible now as cities like Surabaya are becoming a hub for those heading to IKN. "I see Surabaya itself bustling as a hangout for people going to IKN. This is unique because it turns out not to be Balikpapan, which is the hangout for business lobbyists meeting officials, but Surabaya," he added.

Therefore, Aulia continued, from now on, Anies should prepare a 'blueprint' for Jakarta if he wants to be governor again. He needs to anticipate two scenarios: one where IKN does not optimally become the national capital, and another where IKN does indeed become the capital. "Frankly, the IKN issue is still a question mark for me. There are many rumors of high-ranking officials reluctant to go there. Clearly, members of the Parliament are openly not ready to move to IKN."

"Both concepts, whether IKN succeeds or fails as the national capital, must be prepared by Anies. It's clear about IKN, the place will be used for the August 17th ceremony next. The rest is not yet clear. Similarly, the concept of DKJ and its derivative legal regulations are also not yet clear," said Aulia, who works daily on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman.

From Aulia's observations, as a business center, Jakarta's development is still promising. Some examples include the continuation of the MRT project, which has now entered its second phase. Even an MRT line cutting from West Jakarta to East Jakarta is being prepared. Japan has reportedly agreed to build it. Additionally, there is the high-speed train. All these indicate that Jakarta remains promising as Indonesia's business capital.

"Signs that Jakarta will not become a business city due to IKN have not yet been seen. Economic centers such as the Bank of Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority, and the Stock Exchange show no signs of moving to IKN," he asserted.

Certainly, regarding the Jakarta election at the end of 2024, Aulia is well aware that the contest will be fierce. With Jakarta's potential annual budget of around 90 trillion rupiah, it's tempting for anyone.

"I understand if new names like Prabowo's nephew, Budi Jiwandono, and Kaesang Pangarep, President Jokowi's son, have emerged. This indicates that Jakarta is very potential for someone's political career. Therefore, Mr. Anies must carefully calculate the opportunities and challenges, while preparing a new concept for Jakarta if it truly no longer becomes the capital," Aulia Taufani emphatically stated.