JAKARTA – Support for Anies Baswedan to run again in the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election continues to pour in. This time, residents of Tanjung Priok District, North Jakarta, declared their support on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Kebon Bawang, North Jakarta.

The declaration was made by more than 30 representatives from seven urban villages in Tanjung Priok, including Tanjung Priok, Kebon Bawang, Sungai Bambu, Papanggo, Warakas, Sunter Agung, and Sunter Jaya.

Speaking on behalf of Jakarta Utara Rumah Kita (JURM), they are determined to advocate for Anies to become Jakarta's governor once again. “This is the aspiration from our friends at the grassroots level, friends in all urban villages,” explained JURM spokesperson Anwar on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

He explained that they support Anies to lead Jakarta again because they genuinely felt the benefits of his leadership during his tenure as Governor of Jakarta from 2017-2022, and even until now.

These benefits include the creation of the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), the modernization of the Tanjung Priok terminal, the presence of micro public transportation managed by TransJakarta (JakLingko/Mikrotrans), and various forms of social assistance and guarantees.

“For the five years that Jakarta was under Mr. Anies, there was truly no commotion, religious tolerance was maintained, and people lived in harmony,” said the father of four from Kebon Bawang.

They hope Anies will continue and enhance the various programs that have benefited the residents. Especially, they want Anies to address the issues of Kampung Bayam residents in Papanggo.

He emphasized that Kampung Susun Bayam, inaugurated by Anies on October 12, 2022, just days before his term as governor ended, was intended for residents affected by the construction of JIS.

However, he lamented that residents have not been able to occupy it and were even forcibly evicted a few weeks ago. “All our friends are there,” said Anwar, who also advocates for Kampung Bayam residents.

If Anies is elected governor, he believes the issues of Kampung Susun residents will be resolved. Residents will be able to obtain their rights. “God willing, that's certain. Mr. Anies seems to make it his first priority. I don't know about anyone else but Mr. Anies,” he concluded.

A Landslide Victory Anticipated

The residents of Tanjung Priok, are expected to solidly support Anies Baswedan in the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election. About 90 percent of the residents of this subdistrict, known for having Indonesia's largest and busiest port, are said to favor Anies in the upcoming election.

“If Mr. Anies runs, God willing, Mr. Anies will win, especially in Tanjung Priok. I don't mean to overstep the divine, but God willing, close to 90 percent of residents support Anies,” explained Anwar, spokesperson for Jakarta Utara Rumah Kita (JURM), to KBA News on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

He explained that out of the seven urban villages in Tanjung Priok—Kelurahan Tanjung Priok, Kebon Bawang, Sungai Bambu, Papanggo, Warakas, Sunter Agung, and Sunter Jaya—only the last two are not Anies Baswedan's bases, as those areas are predominantly Chinese Indonesian residents.

However, Anwar, a resident of Kebon Bawang, is confident that residents in Kelurahan Sunter Agung and Sunter Jaya will support Anies if he is genuinely endorsed by PDI Perjuangan, as has been widely reported recently.

“But if PDIP supports Mr. Anies, almost 100 percent of Tanjung Priok residents will support him. After all, even the Chinese Indonesian residents have felt the benefits of Mr. Anies’s policies. Everyone feels the benefits, regardless of being a majority or minority,” said the father of four and social activist.

Based on information he has read, several parties will support Anies following DPW PKB's official endorsement. These include NasDem, PKS, and possibly PDIP.

“There are rumors that PDIP might want to propose a deputy. Either Mr. Edi or Mr. Charles,” he said, referring to PDIP politicians Prasetyo Edi Marsudi and Charles Honoris.

Regarding who will be the deputy, they leave it entirely to Anies Baswedan. They will support Anies regardless of his running mate. “Whoever the deputy is, the important thing is that DKI 1 is Mr. Anies,” he emphasized.

As previously reported, more than 30 representatives from each urban village in Tanjung Priok declared their support for Anies Baswedan to lead Jakarta again. This is because residents have directly experienced various beneficial policies during Anies's first term.

These include the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) in Papanggo, the modernization of the Tanjung Priok terminal, various forms of social assistance and guarantees, and the micro public transportation managed by TransJakarta (JakLingko/Mikrotrans).

“Previously, there were many unemployed residents, but now they work at JakLingko. The cars are leased, and the drivers are paid. There is no more reckless driving,” Anwar said.

Therefore, they hope Anies will continue and enhance the various programs that have benefited the residents. They especially want Anies to resolve the issue of Kampung Bayam residents, who have not yet been able to occupy Kampung Susun Bayam.

Kampung Susun Bayam, inaugurated by Anies on October 12, 2022, a few days before he stepped down as governor, was intended for Kampung Bayam residents affected by the construction of JIS.