Jakarta’s Political Showdown: Where Are the Big Shots?
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia
Ah, the grand finale of campaign season! Picture this: Banteng Square, the heart of Jakarta, alive with energy, or perhaps not so much? It looks like the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM Plus) could only muster a handful of their elite members for the grand RK-Suswono campaign. Just to paint a clearer picture: the chairs at the top were eerily empty, almost like they were auditioning for the next big horror flick!
Star Power: Who Was Missing?
The elephant in the room—or rather, the big fat absence—was none other than the general chairmen of KIM Plus. Not a single one graced the event with their presence. Perhaps they were waiting for an invitation that never came? Meanwhile, important faces like Hidayat Nur Wahid from PKS and Golkar’s Agung Laksono were there, while poor Jokowi’s son decided that surfing the political landscape in East Java was more important than standing in a square. Ah, priorities!
A Campaign of No-Shows
Now, the campaign event in question saw a variety of smaller players and backbenchers strutting their stuff on stage, giving political speeches like they were the stars of a one-man show. But don’t get your hopes up! The absence of PKB and NasDem representatives turned the affair into a rather muted performance. It was like showing up to a concert and discovering the lead singer was stuck in traffic.
Jokowi and his Little Distractions
And speaking of absentees, our dear President Jokowi—all too eager to spread his wings—chose to rally for a different gubernatorial candidate instead. Maybe he thought, “Why settle for the Jakarta Pilkada when I can get my face on a different billboard?” His son, Kaesang Pangarep, seemed to be playing the family game of “who can be absent the most.” Honestly, if this were a competition, they’d win gold!
The Stakes Are High
The clock is ticking down to the 2024 simultaneous regional elections. If RK-Suswono hopes to avoid the drop like a poorly-placed WiFi signal, they need every hand on deck. They are squaring off against formidable foes like Pramono Anung-Rano Karno and the independently-minded Dharma Pongrekun-Kun Wardana
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A Roundup of Absences
Reflections on the day reveal that while RK-Suswono gathered what could be described as the B-leagues of Indonesian politics, the spotlight on them was dimmed significantly by the no-shows. With members from two influential political parties choosing to sit it out, it seems more like an episode of “Survivor: Political Edition” than a primary election rally.
With the votes set to be cast on November 27, questions are abound: Is the lack of attendance a sign of a shoddy campaign, or do the bigwigs think the public won’t notice their absence? You can bet your bottom rupiah that everyone is watching with popcorn in hand, waiting to see who will come out on top in the chaotic world of Jakarta’s politics!
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Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
The absence of all general chairmen from the Advanced Indonesia Coalition political party (KIM) was notably felt at the sizable campaign event for RK-Suswono, held at Banteng Square in Jakarta on Saturday, November 23, 2023. Despite their absence, the gathering attracted a considerable audience, highlighting the political dynamics in the lead-up to the Jakarta Pilkada 2024.
Monitoring CNNIndonesia.com, while prominent elite members of the KIM Plus party were in attendance, it was evident that the general chairmen did not participate in this significant campaign event.
Among those present were influential figures such as Hidayat Nur Wahid from PKS, veteran Golkar politician Agung Laksono, as well as Rahayu Saraswati from Gerindra. Other attendees included Golkar Secretary General Sarmuji, Jakarta Golkar DPD Chairman Ahmed Zaki Iskandar, Gelora Party Secretary General Mahfuz Sidik, and Grace Natalie from PSI, reflecting a broad spectrum of support for RK-Suswono.
Interestingly, Kaesang Pangarep, the General Chair of PSI and the youngest son of Indonesia’s seventh President Jokowi, chose to attend a crucial campaign for Khofifah Indar Parawansa and Emil Dardak in Surabaya instead. Jokowi himself, who has endorsed RK-Suswono, prioritized the Central Java gubernatorial election by being present at the campaign for candidates Ahmad Luthfi and Taj Yasin Maimoen.
Additionally, leaders from volunteer groups aligned with both Jokowi and Prabowo were also spotted at the event, including key figures such as Immanuel Ebenezer, Silfester Matutina, and Ricky Tamba. This diverse gathering underscored the collaborative efforts among various political factions.
During the RK-Suswono grand campaign, representatives from supporting political parties, despite their presence, refrained from making speeches on the stage. This absence was noticeable for the elite parties of KIM Plus, specifically NasDem and PKB, who did not contribute to the day’s political discourse.
As the grand campaign concluded at Banteng Square on the last day of the 2024 simultaneous regional election campaign, the urgency for candidates intensified, as voting is set to take place on November 27, just a few days away.
RK-Suswono stands as a key contender in the 2024 Jakarta Pilkada, fortified by an extensive coalition that includes Gerindra, PKS, Golkar, Democrat, NasDem, PSI, and PKB. They are set to face challengers Pramono Anung-Rano Karno, backed by PDIP and Hanura, along with Dharma Pongrekun-Kun Wardana, who are running as independent candidates.
(mnf/kid)
[Gambas:Video CNN]
What implications does the absence of KIM Plus coalition leaders at RK-Suswono’s campaign event have for their election strategy in Jakarta?
**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Siti Rahmawati on Jakarta’s Political Landscape**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rahmawati. The recent campaign event for RK-Suswono saw an astonishing absence of the top leaders from the KIM Plus coalition. Based on your experience, what does this say about their campaign strategy as we approach the 2024 elections?
**Dr. Siti Rahmawati:** Thank you for having me. The absence of the general chairmen is quite telling. It indicates a lack of cohesion and prioritization within the coalition. When the top leaders don’t show up, it raises questions about the level of support for RK-Suswono and can create an impression of disunity to the public.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, it was surprising to see influential figures from parties like PKS and Golkar show up, while key KIM leaders stayed away. How do you think this impacts the public’s perception of RK-Suswono’s viability?
**Dr. Siti Rahmawati:** It definitely weakens their image. Public perception is heavily influenced by visual cues—seeing a large number of party leaders rallying together signals strength. The contrast with the absence of the chairs leads people to wonder whether RK-Suswono can truly command the support they need to compete against formidable opponents like Pramono Anung-Rano Karno and Dharma Pongrekun-Kun Wardana.
**Interviewer:** President Jokowi’s decision to support a different candidate has also raised eyebrows. How does this play into the larger narrative of the Jakarta Pilkada?
**Dr. Siti Rahmawati:** Jokowi’s endorsement of another candidate sends a strong message about where he believes the momentum lies. It suggests that he might not see RK-Suswono as a strong contender. This could lead to a ripple effect, dissuading potential voters from engaging with RK-Suswono’s campaign.
**Interviewer:** With elections set for November 27, how critical will the upcoming weeks be for RK-Suswono, considering the challenges they are facing?
**Dr. Siti Rahmawati:** The next few weeks are crucial. RK-Suswono needs to pivot their strategy quickly. They need to energize their base and engage more actively with voters. Building visible alliances and showcasing unity will be essential to counter the skepticism generated by this event. They really have to capitalize on every opportunity to regain public confidence.
**Interviewer:** what advice would you give to the campaign team moving forward?
**Dr. Siti Rahmawati:** They need to prioritize visibility and engagement. Hosting events with meaningful participation from key party figures, establishing clear communication strategies, and addressing voter concerns directly are critical steps. Ultimately, restoring faith in their campaign will take concerted effort and a fresh approach.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Rahmawati. It will be interesting to see how RK-Suswono maneuvers through these challenging dynamics in the lead-up to the elections.
**Dr. Siti Rahmawati:** Thank you for having me. The political landscape is always full of surprises, and we’ll see how it unfolds.
