PKS Reveals Anies Once Rejected Offer to Become Party Cadre

Former Governor of DKI Anies Baswedan.(MI/Adam Dwi)

THE CHAIRMAN of the Jakarta Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Regional Leadership Council (DPW), Khoirudin, revealed that Anies Baswedan was once offered a cadre or in other words, to wear the party’s distinctive white coat. However, Anies did not welcome it.

This was conveyed by Khoirudin in response to the voice note (VN) recording containing Anies Baswedan’s voice. The voice recording was spread on social media. “I, Khoirudin, once told Mr. Anies directly that if he did not accept Mr. Sohibul Iman, then Mr. Anies could wear a white jacket to enter as a PKS cadre,” said Khoirudin in the VN recording that was permitted to be quoted, Monday (12/8).

With Anies becoming a PKS cadre, it will be easier to form a constellation of prospective candidates for the 2024 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election. Khoirudin said that if Anies wears a PKS jacket, then his party can take a candidate for deputy governor (cawagub) outside of PKS.

However, Anies did not respond positively to the offer. The former Governor of DKI expressed his desire to be neutral. “But at that time Mr. Anies did not respond positively to the invitation, instead he expressed his desire to be neutral,” said Khoirudin.

On the other hand, he also touched on the issue of encouraging Anies to try to find support to be able to contest in the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election. Because PKS lacks seats to nominate a candidate pair.

PKS has actually paired Anies with Sohibul Iman. However, this pair needs 22 DPRD seats to sail. Understandably, PKS only has 18 seats.

Also read: Recommendation for Anies in Jakarta Gubernatorial Election Expired, PKS Moves Closer to KIM?

“President (PKS) Ustaz Ahmad Syaikhu, in addition to openly asking Mr. Anies to try to get additional support, has also openly fought for Mr. Anies and Mr. Sohibul Iman to get support to advance as gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates by asking for support from the leaders of the NasDem, Perindo, PSI, PKB and even Gerindra parties,” explained Khoirudin.

Anies was given a deadline until August 4, 2024 to fill the shortage of seats. PKS also asked Anies about additional support from other parties. “PKS asked about the results of Mr. Anies’ struggle to get certainty from Nasdem and/or PKB to nominate Mr. Anies, it turns out Mr. Anies has not been able to get certainty.”

Previously, VN of Anies Baswedan’s voice sent to Khoirudin was circulating. Anies said he could still fight with PKS to be able to sail in the 2024 Jakarta gubernatorial election. The former Minister of Education and Culture admitted that he was confused by the deadline of August 4, 2024. The deadline was conveyed by the PKS spokesperson to the public. According to Anies, the deadline was not in the agreement. In fact, it was never in the discussions conveyed by PKS. (J-2)