Coalition for Change Supporters Urged to Stick Together: Mahfud Md’s Advice on Anies Baswedan’s Concerns

Jakarta –

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud Md suggest that Coalition for Change for Unity (KPP) compact for suppression Anies Baswedan not tackled by the internal coalition. The three political parties that are members of the KPP, namely NasDem, Democrats and PKS, responded unanimously to Mahfud’s statement.

It is known that the answer emerged when Mahfud responded to concerns about KPP’s presidential candidate (bacapres), Anies Baswedan, regarding the obstruction after President Jokowi stated that he would have cawe-chawe for the sake of the nation and the state. Mahfud Md dismissed Anies’ concerns.

“There was no (trafficking), that was political content, it was part of a political contestation race that said this was being tackled, maybe so that the supporters showed up or maybe so that there were only a few voters, why was it being tackled, because of this. There was no (anies tripping),” said Mahfud in Pancasila Field, Ende, NTT, Thursday (1/6/2023).

Mahfud said that there was no attempt to tackle the current government as Anies had feared. Instead, Mahfud gave a message to the coalition supporting Anies to stick together so as not to be hindered by his own internal affairs.

“If the government doesn’t trip up. Maybe you guys, it’s just that it’s not comfortable to say frankly, maybe from the writings and statements of Denny Indrayana. No, no one will trip up. In fact, I told him, you have to try in various forums so that the coalition that supports Anies is compact so that Anies can get a ticket, not being thwarted by his internal self,” he said.

“If the government doesn’t, so be it. We will protect their rights so there will be no obstructions,” he explained.

Democrats: The Issue of Jegal Anies Does Not Come from a Vacuum

The Democratic Party (PD), which is part of KPP, responded to Mahfud’s statement. The PD emphasized that the issue of Anies’ tackle did not come from a vacuum.

“Issues of tripping, criminalization and so on do not arise from a vacuum. The indications are there,” said Deputy Bappilu DPP DPP, Kamhar Lakumani, to journalists, Thursday (1/6/2023).

“Various efforts and efforts are being made to stop Mas Anies from sailing, including ‘disturbing’ the three supporting political parties who are members of the Coalition for Change for Unity. However, we respect Prof. Mahfud Md’s statement to maintain the cohesiveness of the coalition,” he continued.

Kamhar stressed that the Coalition for Change is very solid. He said the three parties that are members of the coalition have the same platform of struggle.

“The Coalition for Change for Unity is very solid. Democrats, NasDem and PKS have the same platform of struggle to realize change agendas for people’s lives that are more prosperous, more advanced, safer, quality democracy, just laws and so on,” he said .

Furthermore, Kahmar said that the various challenges faced by the Coalition for Change would not reduce their enthusiasm to make changes happen.

“The various dynamics faced, instead of weakening the determination and spirit of KPP and Mas Anies, rather strengthened the determination and spirit of creating Change and Improvement as an effort to fulfill the promises of independence,” he said.

NasDem Leverages the Declaration Charter Signed by the Ketum of the KPP Political Parties

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud Md advised the coalition supporter Anies Baswedan to stick together so that his own internal members would not be thwarted. NasDem again brought up the declaration charter that had been signed by each general chairperson in the Change Coalition for Unity (KPP).

“Worry is a normal thing, it’s humane because there are many things that Anies has experienced in his journey as, say, vice president. And I think what Pak Mahfud said was an answer, an affirmation, that the issue was no attempt to tackle it,” said Deputy Head of NasDem Ahmad Ali started his response, Thursday (1/6/2023).

Ali brought up his coalition having signed the coalition declaration charter. He alluded to the point about the cawapres which was agreed to be fully handed over to Anies.

“Then what was conveyed by Mr. Mahfud, yes, ‘there are attempts of obstruction that can occur internally’. The Coalition for Change has already signed a declaration, a charter of the coalition signed by the three general chairmen and there is one important point that the issue of the vice presidential candidate is is the authority of Anies Baswedan as presidential candidate,” he said.

The former chairman of the DPR’s NasDem faction believes that there will be no worries about Anies’ internal obstruction if the supporting party is committed to the contents of the charter. However, he suspects that Anies could be tripped up if a party reneges on the coalition agreement.

“So if later the coalition parties adhere to the commitments made in the charter, then of course there is no need to worry, OK? So that means, God willing, there will be no attempts at obstruction from the internal coalition,” he said.

“That’s clear. So, unless there is a party that later wants to renege on the charter. So then there are political parties that deny it and force their wishes. So that has potential,” he continued.

(print/rfs)