The National Awakening Party (PKB) has officially confirmed plans to hold a high-level meeting with former Jakarta Governor and 2024 presidential candidate Anies Baswedan to discuss a potential return to the Jakarta gubernatorial race. This move, announced by the party’s central leadership, signals a significant recalibration of political alliances following the conclusion of the 2024 General Elections. The decision to approach Anies is rooted in his consistently high electability ratings in the capital, which PKB leadership views as a critical factor in securing a victory in the upcoming regional head elections (Pilkada) scheduled for November 2024.
Ahmad Iman Sukri, the Treasurer of PKB’s Pilkada Desk, revealed during a press conference at the party’s Central Board (DPP) office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, that the party has been explicitly tasked by Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar to establish formal communication with Anies. The upcoming meeting will be led by Abdul Halim Iskandar, the Chairman of the PKB Pilkada Desk, who is expected to delve into the technical and strategic possibilities of nominating Anies for a second term as Jakarta’s governor. This development follows months of speculation regarding Anies’s political future after his second-place finish in the February presidential election, where he ran alongside Muhaimin Iskandar.
The mandate for this meeting comes directly from the top tier of PKB leadership. Muhaimin Iskandar, popularly known as Cak Imin, maintains a close political and personal rapport with Anies Baswedan, a bond solidified during their joint campaign under the "Coalition for Change" banner in the presidential race. Despite their defeat at the national level, the partnership appears to have left a lasting impact on the internal strategy of PKB, particularly regarding the governance of Jakarta, which remains the economic and political epicenter of Indonesia.
The Context of Jakarta’s Political Landscape
Jakarta’s gubernatorial seat is widely considered one of the most prestigious and influential political offices in the country, often serving as a springboard for presidential aspirations. Anies Baswedan’s tenure as governor from 2017 to 2022 was marked by high-profile infrastructure projects, such as the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) and the integration of the city’s public transportation system under the JakLingko initiative. These achievements, combined with his strong grassroots support, have ensured that his popularity remains resilient despite his transition to the national stage.
From PKB’s perspective, the decision to revisit Anies’s candidacy is a pragmatic response to the current data. Internal and external surveys continue to place Anies at the top of the list for potential governors, often outperforming other prominent figures such as former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil or current cabinet ministers. PKB officials have noted that "the survey numbers for Mr. Anies remain very high," suggesting that his brand is still the most potent in the Jakarta metropolitan area. The party aims to finalize its stance on the Jakarta race within the next few weeks to begin building a broader coalition with other political entities.
Chronology of Political Maneuvering
The timeline leading up to this announcement reflects a rapid shift from national to regional priorities. Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the presidential election disputes in April 2024, political parties have pivoted toward the November 27 regional elections. In early May, PKB opened its registration process for regional head candidates across Indonesia, inviting both internal cadres and external figures to apply for the party’s endorsement.
By mid-May, various factions within the Jakarta Regional Representative Council (DPRD) began discussing potential candidates. While some parties within the "Onward Indonesia Coalition" (KIM) have hinted at fielding a unified candidate to maintain the momentum of their presidential victory, the parties that supported Anies in the presidential race—PKB, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and the NasDem Party—have been exploring the possibility of maintaining their alliance at the local level. The announcement on May 29 by PKB officially marks the start of formal negotiations with the former governor.
Supporting Data and Electability Metrics
Statistical data from several credible polling agencies, including Indikator Politik Indonesia and the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI), consistently highlight Anies Baswedan’s dominance in Jakarta. In recent simulations, Anies often secures over 35% of the hypothetical vote share, a significant margin over his nearest competitors. His approval rating at the end of his gubernatorial term in late 2022 hovered around 70-80%, providing a solid foundation for a comeback.
Furthermore, the 2024 legislative election results in Jakarta have altered the bargaining power of various parties. PKS emerged as the winner in the Jakarta DPRD, securing 18 seats, while PKB significantly increased its presence to 10 seats. To nominate a candidate for Governor, a party or coalition must control at least 22 seats (20% of the 106-seat DPRD). A coalition between PKB and PKS alone would comfortably surpass this threshold, totaling 28 seats. This mathematical reality makes the PKB-Anies dialogue a pivotal moment for the formation of a winning coalition.
The Question of the Deputy Governor
While the focus remains on Anies as the potential gubernatorial candidate, the discussion regarding a running mate is already underway. Ahmad Iman Sukri indicated that the selection of a Vice Gubernatorial (Cawagub) candidate is a flexible matter that will be subject to negotiation. One name that has frequently surfaced within PKB circles is Ida Fauziyah, the current Minister of Manpower and a senior PKB cadre.
Ida Fauziyah is seen as a strong contender due to her extensive experience in the executive branch and her deep roots within the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) community, which forms the core voter base of PKB. Pairing Anies with a female leader and a seasoned administrator like Ida Fauziyah could offer a balanced ticket designed to appeal to both urban liberals and traditional religious voters. However, PKB has stressed that "the vice-presidential slot and other details remain to be communicated," indicating that they are open to suggestions from other potential coalition partners like PKS or NasDem.
Official Responses and Strategic Implications
The reaction to PKB’s overture toward Anies has been met with cautious optimism by his supporters and intense scrutiny by political rivals. Representatives from the Anies Baswedan camp have indicated that the former governor is currently reflecting on his next steps but remains committed to public service. While Anies has not yet officially declared his candidacy, his willingness to meet with PKB leadership suggests a high level of interest in returning to the City Hall (Balai Kota).
Other political actors, such as the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), have also expressed interest in the Jakarta race, though they have yet to consolidate behind a single name. Some analysts suggest that if Anies consolidates the support of PKB, PKS, and NasDem, he would be the formidable "incumbent" to beat, forcing other coalitions to field heavyweight candidates to stand a chance.
The implications of this potential candidacy extend far beyond the borders of Jakarta. A successful re-election for Anies would keep him in the public eye and provide him with a powerful platform leading up to the 2029 Presidential Election. Conversely, for PKB, securing the Jakarta governorship would elevate the party’s national profile and prove its ability to win in urban, high-stakes environments, moving beyond its traditional strongholds in East and Central Java.
Broader Impact and the Path Ahead
The upcoming meeting between Abdul Halim Iskandar and Anies Baswedan is expected to cover several critical areas, including the vision for Jakarta’s future as it transitions from being the national capital to a "Global City" following the relocation of the capital to Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan. The strategic discussion will likely touch upon economic resilience, social welfare programs, and the continuation of urban development projects that were hallmarks of Anies’s first term.
As the "Desk Pilkada" continues its work, the political climate in Jakarta is expected to intensify. The General Election Commission (KPU) will begin the official registration of candidates in August 2024, leaving a narrow window for parties to finalize their tickets. The PKB-Anies dialogue represents the first major move in what is expected to be a complex and highly competitive election cycle.
For the residents of Jakarta, the potential return of Anies Baswedan offers a choice between continuity and the introduction of new leadership paradigms. As the city prepares for its first post-capital era, the leadership of the next governor will be instrumental in defining Jakarta’s new identity on the global stage. PKB’s proactive stance in initiating these talks underscores the party’s ambition to be a kingmaker in the capital’s political future, leveraging the enduring popularity of a figure who remains, by all statistical accounts, a central pillar of Indonesian politics.
