ON Friday, November 15, 2024, Pramono Anung and Rano Karno, the candidates for Governor and Deputy Governor of Jakarta, met with national figure Anies Baswedan at his residence in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

"On this morning, with the sunrise, I had a conversation about Jakarta city and its future with Mas Pramono Anung and Bang Rano Karno at my home," Anies wrote on his Instagram account on Friday, November 15, 2024.

“Accompanied by lontong sayur and coffee made by Fery, the conversation became warmer and more enjoyable,” Anies continued.

The support of Anies Rasyid Baswedan, Ph.D., former Governor of Jakarta from 2017-2022, for anyone contesting the Jakarta gubernatorial election in 2024 is extremely crucial. Particularly for Pramono Anung and Rano Karno.

Several reasons make Anies' support crucial for Pramono Anung and Rano Karno in winning the Jakarta gubernatorial election on November 27, 2024.

Credible surveys indicate that Anies' support for Pramono-Rano—whether openly or behind the scenes—will significantly add electoral votes for Pramono-Rano while simultaneously reducing the chances of other political competitors, especially Ridwan Kamil-Suswono.

This is because the support of the people of Jakarta, especially Anies’ volunteers across Indonesia, remains solid. They genuinely hoped that Anies could contest in Jakarta once again, and of course, for the presidential election in 2029. Therefore, when the grandson of National Hero AR Baswedan failed to run for the Jakarta gubernatorial election, Anies’ endorsement for Pramono-Rano served as an emotional outlet for the disappointment of millions of Anies’ supporters in Jakarta.

Unlike other presidential candidates whose political influence wanes once they lose, Anies remains a beacon for his 41 million supporters nationwide. Each time Anies travels across the country post-presidential election, thousands of supporters greet him with enthusiasm, as though drawn by his powerful charisma. Anies continues to represent hope for the people of Indonesia.

It’s also important to remember: Anies was the winner of the Jakarta presidential election. If the overseas votes from Jakarta are excluded, Anies would have significantly won the presidential election there. His victory in Jakarta is not trivial, as it was the main battleground in the presidential election at that time.

Furthermore, Anies embodies a dual identity that no other politician in Indonesia possesses: both the face of political Islam and the character of true Indonesian nationalism. This blend of political Islam and Indonesian nationalism in Anies is essential and aligns perfectly with Pramono-Rano and their main supporter, PDI Perjuangan, in the Jakarta gubernatorial race.

Until now, Anies has become a representative of hope, supported by a significant portion of the modernist Islamic community, urban Muslims, and traditional Islam. Political Islam and the Soekarnoist nationalists can collaborate and serve as a symbol of national reconciliation between two major political streams that are often seen by the grassroots as being at odds, yet at the elite level, there are no ideological barriers to cooperation.

On the other hand, national politician and former youngest grandmaster chess player Utut Adianto once stated that Anies is not different from the ideology of PDI Perjuangan. His loyalty to the red-and-white flag (Anies) is indisputable.

For example, during his tenure as Jakarta’s Governor from 2017-2022, Anies Rasyid Baswedan issued building permits (IMBs) to 55 places of worship, including 3 temples, 19 mosques, and 33 churches. Notably, the permits for churches that had been waiting for decades were issued, including the Catholic Church of Damai Kristus, which received its permit after 35 years of waiting, the GPIB Pelita Church, which received its permit after 40 years, and the Hindu Temple of the Tamil Indian ethnic community, which received its permit after 65 years.

For the first time in Jakarta's history, under Anies’ leadership, Christmas carols were played openly in public spaces, from MRT stations to the HI Roundabout. Additionally, operational funds were given to over 1,300 churches in Jakarta alongside other places of worship.

Historical records also show that Bung Karno had a close relationship with Anies' grandfather, AR Baswedan, as friends and independence fighters. This bond was crucial in Indonesia’s independence struggle, particularly when AR Baswedan delivered the official recognition of Indonesia's sovereignty from Egypt to Soekarno, risking his life.

* Freddy Mutiara, ST, MM, CPM (Asia), CMA (USA)