Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Anies Baswedan could face a significant setback in his bid for reelection as Jakarta governor if the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) withdraws its support. Even his political ally, the National Awakening Party (PKB), would be unable to secure his candidacy without PKS.
PKB spokesman Ahmad Iman Syukri said on Monday that the party must form an alliance with PKS to meet the threshold required to nominate Anies. To qualify for the Jakarta gubernatorial election, a party or coalition must hold at least 22 seats in the provincial legislature.
PKS is the largest party in the Jakarta legislature, with 18 seats.
"If PKS withdraws its support for Anies, PKB alone won't be able to help him. PKB only has 10 seats, which is far from the required threshold," Ahmad said in Jakarta.
PKS had formally nominated Anies for the Jakarta election on the condition that he selects former party chairman Sohibul Iman as his running mate by August 4. However, the Muslim-based party threatened to withdraw its support after the deadline passed without a clear response from the former Jakarta governor.
Meanwhile, four incumbent parties have formed a coalition to nominate former West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil for the Jakarta governorship, leaving Anies with limited options for forming his own alliance.
He cannot run as an independent candidate either, as the registration deadline for independent candidates passed last month.
During his unsuccessful presidential bid in the February election, Anies was nominated by PKB, PKS, and the National Democratic Party (Nasdem).
Nasdem has yet to announce its candidate for the Jakarta governor amid explicit calls from rival parties to join Ridwan Kamil's camp.
While PKB could potentially form a coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to meet the threshold, Ahmad noted that collaboration between the two parties might be feasible in certain regions like East Java, but not in Jakarta.
"We need to continue discussions because we still have a week to reach a final decision," Ahmad said.
However, PKS expressed frustration with the delay, underlining that Anies has yet to make a decision.
In addition to Anies' indecision regarding Sohibul as his running mate, he has also struggled to secure another party as a coalition partner to meet the threshold, according to PKS Secretary-General Zainudin Paru.
"Anies currently has support only from PKS, and unless something changes, he and Sohibul Iman won't be eligible to run as gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial candidates," Zainudin said. "We wish the best for Mr. Anies and PKS."
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/pkb-cant-save-anies-baswedan-in-jakarta-election-without-pks-suppor