The Muslim-based National Awakening Party (PKB) has endorsed former Governor Anies Baswedan as its sole candidate for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election in November.
Head of the PKB’s Jakarta Chapter, Hasbiallah Ilyas, said the decision was made upon extensive consultations with the party’s national executive board and verification from local party branches.
“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim [In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful] PKB’s Jakarta chapter has decided to endorse Anies Baswedan as the sole candidate for the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election,” Hasbiallah said in Jakarta, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
He added that Anies was chosen based on pragmatic considerations. While the party also considered other potential candidates, including Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah and Hasbiallah himself, internal PKB surveys indicated Anies, who served as Jakarta governor in 2017-2022, is the best candidate.
“The one who understands Jakarta best is Anies Baswedan. His leadership needs to continue to avoid stagnation in development,” he added.
With this endorsement, PKB has closed the registration for gubernatorial candidates in Jakarta. Anies, currently out of town, is expected to visit the PKB office soon to receive his recommendation letter and begin campaigning.
While Anies has yet to make an official statement, he previously indicated during a community event that he is seriously considering another run for governor, noting he has received offers from several political parties.
In parallel, Utut Adianto, Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), confirmed his party’s interest in endorsing Anies, citing his qualifications and leadership experience. Final decision for PDI-P’s candidate, however, will rest with party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri.
PDI-P is also considering other candidates, including Rano Karno, who has been proposed for a potential partnership with Zita Anjani of the National Mandate Party (PAN), as well as former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and former Indonesian MIlitary (TNI) chief General (ret) Andika Perkasa.
