Ahmadsyarifali's Blog

April 23, 2017

Anis Political Debt

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ahmad Syarif @ 3:51 pm

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Anis Baswedan won the Jakarta governor election after gained 57.95% of the voted, a strong mandate to Anis. Nevertheless, the 2017 election left several concerns, the campaign that preoccupied with racial slurs and religious tensions has endanger Indonesian democracy. Several groups and individuals with contracting background and interest are supporting Anis. The main question now is what would Anis do with so many interest on his shoulder?

Anis first steps is Internal consolidation among its supporters, Anis have several stakeholders that need to be serve. First he needs to secure parliamentary support from Gerindra a nationalist and PKS an Islamist party. Both parties will demand political and economic concession from Anis, nevertheless elites from each party have different interest, while Prabowo Subianto will look for 2019 presidential election and he will push Anis to support his agenda. Prabowo’s brother Hasyim Djoyohadikusumo is main donator of Gerindra, differ from Prabowo, Hasyim interest is economic access to several projects in Jakarta. While PKS position within Anis-Sandi administrative is complicated, first neither Anis nor Sandi have a good relation with PKS, second, PKS economic interest will be explore by their local parliament member, based on PKS coalition track record during the Yudhoyono era, they will ask for more administrative post within Anis administrative.

Other interest group is FPI (Islamic Defender Front) as notorious Islamic vigilante organization with massive support from Jakarta urban poor and lower class. Lead by charismatic leader Habib Rizik Shihab, this group should ask for more license and support on their religious activities, it means FPI will have bigger role in upcoming Anis administrative. However, one could not neglect Anis is also supported by several former members of KPK (Corruption Eradicated Commission), one of it is respected figure Bambang Widjayanto that actively helped Anis during his campaign. Comedian such as Pandji Pragiwaksono that have good connection with youth community is also Anis social media aided. Those figures politically less powerful compare to other interest groups, yet Anis personally comfortable mingle with those individuals, and they have popular supports. At least Anis need to feel secure by surrounding himself with people he trusts.

Some business interest, Harry Tanoe Soedibyo an ambitious businessman and well known Donald Trump business partner is joining Anis coalition. He also known for his ambition to be Indonesia next President, nevertheless it will be hard for him to coopt Anis since Prabowo have similar ambition with sufficient political resources. Lippo Group is the first taipan that publicly expressed support for Anis 0 rupiah down payment housing program. Lippo group lead James Riady is one of biggest property business in Indonesia. Just after the announcement of quick count, Abu Rizal Bakrie appears to express his felicitation to Anis and Sandi. Ical as most people called him is a former chairman of Golkar and ally of Prabowo Subianto during 2014 presidential election. He has huge business interest, one of it is property, he seems will develop partnerships with Anis in politic and business. Some othe business groups such as Bosowa lead by Erwin Aksa and also Kalla Group owned VP Jusuf Kalla are in the line to support Anis. Anis vice governor Sandiaga Uno will be main broker that connect Anis with other business group, Sandi himself is a businessman that have strong relation with Saratoga Group owned by Edwin Soerjaya. He also active member of Kadin (Indonesia Chamber of Commerce). Nevertheless, one should understand Jakarta is not Indonesia, moreover Anis political aided mostly run energy and mining sector which none of which in Jakarta, while most of Jakarta infrastructure projects are signed and funded by the central government. What they see is Anis could be a significant opposition over Jokowi’s administrative.

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