Fajar Pebrianto, Jakarta – A number of people claiming to be ex-terrorism convicts participated in the declaration event supporting Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan as a presidential candidate in the 2024 General Elections. They were also given the opportunity along with other declarators from Islamic organizations to deliver a speech.
"Representing ex-terror convicts, we support Pak Anies as a presidential candidate because we want better changes for the nation and this country," said Kartono, one of the ex-convicts who was also the declarator at the event held in Jakarta Bidakara Hotel, Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
Kartono claimed he was admitted to the Tangerang prison for a terrorism case in 2018 and was released on August 17, 2021. Other former convicted terrorists used to serve their sentences in the Gunung Sindur prison and the Cipinang prison.
He mentioned that he was contacted to attend this event last week and did not expect to meet former sympathizers of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) to Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) that were already disbanded by the government in today's event.
However, Kartono explained that he was present at the declaration event for Anies Baswedan because of the latter's figure. "If we look at the track record [of Anies] in managing Jakarta, we find many positive developments," he said.