YOGYAKARTA– Political observer from Paramadina University Jakarta, Ahmad Khoirul Umam, Ph.D., said that Anies Baswedan has significant capital to win the 2024 Special Capital Region of Jakarta (DKJ) Gubernatorial Election.

However, at the same time, Anies must be able to weigh the strength of the political parties' machinery supporting him concerning the 20 percent presidential threshold required to nominate. The political party network that supported him in the 2024 Presidential Election is potentially a vehicle towards DKJ1.

The three parties supporting Anies in the 2024 Presidential Election—NasDem, PKB, and PKS—received a significant coattail effect. The vote shares of these three parties rose significantly, including in the DKI Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

“In the post-reformation history, PKS received a significant vote boost this year (2024 election). This is the effect of supporting Anies and the critical narrative built,” he said during the Weekend Discussion held by the Forum of Professors and Doctors Insan Cita themed “Assessing Anies Baswedan's Chances in the 2024 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election” via Zoom, attended Sunday, June 23, 2024 evening.

The Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy and Strategic Affairs (Indostrategic) said that PKB and NasDem have signaled their intention to support Anies in the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election. “It is important for Anies to convince PKS not to shift its support,” he said.

On the other hand, Umam said, Anies must make compromises with the parties that supported him previously, as the temptation from the DPP level is strong. PKS itself is experiencing extraordinary temptation. “The information that PKS was offered the deputy governor position by KIM (Koalisi Indonesia Maju) seems to be true. I confirmed this with several party leaders,” he explained.

A Ph.D. graduate in Political Science from the University of Queensland, Australia, Umam revealed that this is indeed a challenge for Anies. “If Anies can consolidate, the chances of winning are very high,” he emphasized.

According to Umam, it is also urgent within Anies' circle. The Jakarta Gubernatorial Election is very important, relevant, and significant as it will keep the electoral momentum alive until the 2029 contest.

Umam revealed that practically only the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election can provide a stage comparable to the national level. “If Anies enters and wins the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election, his political card remains active,” said the holder of a master's degree in Asian Governance from Flinders University, Australia.

The President Director of the Paramadina Public Policy Institute (PPPI) revealed how strategically important Jakarta remains on the national stage. “Although the capital has moved to IKN, the political and economic gravity remains in Jakarta. Jakarta has a regional budget of around 85 trillion, which is equivalent to the combined budgets of several ministries,” he explained.