Indonesia 2024 Presidential Candidates Analysis: Anies Baswedan — Muhaimin Iskandar
By Strategic Studies Division PPI London 2023/2024
Candidate №01 Anies Baswedan — Muhaimin Iskandar
This analysis will explore the key aspects related to each pair of presidential and vice-presidential candidates participating in the 2024 Indonesian presidential election. It will start with the general profiles of each candidate, followed by their career and political background, accomplishments and controversies, and coalition parties, as well as their vision and mission. Furthermore, the analysis will conduct an in-depth study of each candidate pair’s work programs, including arguments put forth during debates and those laid out in their vision-mission booklets. The purpose of this analysis is to provide voters with valuable insights into the candidates’ intended direction for the nation and their commitments.
I. Profile
Anies Rasyid Baswedan was born on May 7, 1969, in Kuningan, West Java, to a family of academicians. His father is Rasyid Baswedan who was a lecturer at the Indonesian Islamic University (UII) and his mother, Aliyah Rasyid was a professor at Yogyakarta State University (UNY). Anies is also the grandson of Abdurrahman Baswedan, a part of the political elite sphere, who held prominent roles, including Deputy Minister of Information of the Third Sjahrir Cabinet from 1945 to 1949 [1]
Anies’ initial foray into politics began when he applied to the presidential convention for the Partai Demokrat (Democratic Party) in 2014. While he failed to progress with this application, this action, alongside his founding of ‘Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar’, which garnered favour from the public, established him with a political image and formally marked his entry into Indonesian politics.
Anies’ political journey ensued by joining Jokowi’s campaign team for the 2014 presidential election. Due to his background for the Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar movement, his position as a rector at Paramadina University and his support for Jokowi, Anies was formally appointed Minister of Education & Culture following Jokowi’s victory [1].
In 2017, with the support of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Gerindra Party, Anies won his run as the Governor of Jakarta, ousting Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, a minority Chinese Christian, who was the replacement governor at the time [2].
Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar also known as Cak Imin, Gus Muhaimin, or Muhaimin Iskandar, was born on September 24, 1966, in Jombang. He comes from a family with a background in Islamic boarding school education.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in 1991 and a Postgraduate degree in Communication Management from the University of Indonesia (UI) in 2001. In 2017, he received an Honorary Doctorate or Honoris Causa from Airlangga University [3].
In 1998, Dr. Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar joined the National Awakening Party (PKB) and served as its Secretary-General. His political journey continued as he became the Chairman of PKB in 2005, a position he has maintained to date. Over four legislative periods, Dr. Muhaimin held key governmental roles, beginning as a member of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) during the first period (1999–2004). Progressing in his political career, he assumed the role of Vice Chairman of DPR RI during the second period (2004–2009) and served as the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration in the United Indonesia Cabinet II during the third period (2009–2014). In the fourth period (2014–2019), he returned as a member of DPR RI and concurrently held the position of Vice Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) from 2018 to 2019. Since 2019, Dr. Muhaimin has continued his political contributions as the Vice Chairman of DPR-RI for People’s Welfare [4].
II. Notable Works
Anies Baswedan has received acclaim for his notable works in leading Jakarta’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. His strategy involved implementing innovative policy elements, including the 5-stage Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) and the Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement (PPKM). Under his leadership, Jakarta has been recognised as a role model for densely populated capitals, showcasing the effective application of innovative and flexible policies to mitigate the spread of the pandemic [5].
Additionally, Anies Baswedan has successfully fulfilled campaign promises made during his tenure as Jakarta Governor. Achievements such as stabilising household needs prices and putting a halt to Jakarta Bay reclamation are notable successes attributed to his governance [6][7].
III. Controversies
In the 2017 election, Anies Baswedan gained popularity by targeting the racial and religious profile of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), the incumbent, who is a Christian of Chinese descent and an ally of Jokowi. Some criticised Anies’s campaign for using identity politics by leveraging a narrative that a leader must have the same faith — Islam. Anies’s approach to his political opponents has led to fears of Indonesian Islamist populism. He was also involved in the Ahok blasphemy case, which has added to these concerns. As a result, people are closely examining his potential policies, particularly those that use identity politics and Islamist ideologies to gain political advantage[8]. Such perception is further reinforced through his choice of Muhaimin Iskandar, the leader of Indonesia’s largest Islamic party, as his running mate.
Reflecting on Anies Baswedan’s past campaign promises as Jakarta Governor reveals a mixed record. According to the available data, the OK OCE program aimed at opening 200,000 new job opportunities was able to achieve only 3% of its intended target. Similarly, the promise of providing 300,000 units of housing with a 0% down payment saw limited success, achieving only 0.78% of its total target. The infrastructure for flood handling faced certain challenges, which affected its desired outcome [6][7].
IV. 2024 Presidential Vision — Mission & Political Coalition
Vision: “Indonesia Adil Makmur untuk Semua” / “Prosperous Indonesia for All” [9]
Mission(s):
- Ensuring the Availability of Basic Needs and Low Cost of Living through Food Independence, Energy Security, and Water Sovereignty.
- Alleviating Poverty by Expanding Business Opportunities and Creating Jobs, Realizing Equitable Wages, Ensuring Economic Progress Based on Independence and Equity, and Supporting Indonesian Corporations to Succeed in Their Own Country and Grow in the Global Scene.
- Realising Sustainable Ecological Justice for Future Generations.
- Building Humane, Equitable and Mutually Advancing Region-Based Cities and Villages.
- Realising Healthy, Smart, Productive, Moral and Cultured Indonesian.
- Realising a Prosperous and Happy Indonesian Family as the Root of the Nation’s Strength.
- Strengthening the State Defense and Security System, and Enhancing Indonesia’s Role and Leadership in the Global Political Scene to Realize National Interests and World Peace.
- Restoring the Quality of Democracy, Upholding Law and Human Rights, Eradicating Corruption without Discrimination, and Organizing Government in Favor of the People. [9]
Coalition: “Coalition for Change”
- Partai Nasional Demokrasi (National Democracy Party)
- Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (National Awakening Party)
- Partai Keadilan Sosial (Prosperous Justice Party)
V. Elaborative Analysis
1st Debate: Governance, Law, Human Rights, Eradicating Corruption, Enhancing Democracy, Improved Public Service and Citizen Harmony
The first presidential debate held the topics of Governance, Law, Human Rights, Eradicating Corruption, Enhancing Democracy, Improved Public Service and Citizen Harmony. Each of the presidential candidates received an opportunity to open with their vision and mission statement which Anies went first with his strong critics of the current regime, where he believes the idea of justice is nothing but an afterthought. Such a statement underlines his vision for Indonesia, which is to make it a true state of law and to provide justice for the people, as well as reestablish his political stance as the opposition to the current administration.
The overall theme of upholding justice and rebuilding Indonesia’s ‘decaying’ democracy was consistent around Anies’ stances on many issues brought up during the first debate. On Prabowo’s approach towards the issue in Papua, Anies provided a sharp critique where providing justice should be the underlying key to long-term peace in the region instead of looking at external factors of foreign interest. In this regard, he called for a solution to the human rights violations happening in Papua. Later, he claimed that the currently declining public trust towards political parties in Indonesia is also due to the problematic quality of the current democracy. Anies cited some instances where freedom of expression is restricted and the oppositional voices are quenched by the ill-nature of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. At the same time, he believes political parties must also provide transparency to the public about their funding to improve their accountability and recover the public trust.
During the debate, Anies was also asked about his stance on improving tolerance and individual protection. He reinstated the need for freedom of speech as it is not the state’s obligation to ‘control the minds of its people’. However, Anies promised to provide a free legal consultation service he dubbed ‘Hotline Paris’, noting the celebrity lawyer Hotman Paris, which allows citizens to seek state assistance on many legal issues. His response was then pushed by the other candidates questioning his commitment to religious harmony, insinuating his controversies during Jakarta’s divisive election back in 2017. Anies then responded by claiming that during his tenure as the Governor of Jakarta, he issued many permits for the construction of places of worship, including those outside the Islamic faith.
As ex-governor of Jakarta, Anies was also asked by the other candidates about the many problems Jakarta still faces including rampant pollution and how he would react to the plan of relocating the capital to the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN). In such a matter, Anies stood by his opposition towards the relocation of the capital city, while also admitting the many problems Jakarta currently facing. “If there is a problem, solve it. Don’t abandon it,” he exclaimed during the questioning. He continued to mention that the improvements during his time as the governor are towards maintaining Jakarta as the capital and makes the case against the need for relocation.
Such a claim was not free of any sceptical response from the other candidates, as Prabowo asked how Anies failed to solve pollution in Jakarta despite the Rp 80 trillion (US$5.1 billion) budget dedicated to solving the issue [10]. Accordingly, Anies mentioned his many improvements towards providing cleaner air for Jakarta, including procuring electric vehicles for public transportation. He then said that the issue of Jakarta’s pollution is not isolated; he blamed the wind for the pollution that originated from areas outside Jakarta. On top of his arguments for the ‘salvageability’ of Jakarta, Anies added that the current development of IKN has its own problems from the lack of development transparency to the questions of its regulatory framework.
2nd Debate: Economy (Grassroots Economics & Digital Economy), Finance, Investment & Tax, Trade, Management of State and Regional Budgets, Infrastructure, and Urban Planning
The second debate discussed Economics, Finance, Investment & Tax, Trade, National Budget, Infrastructure and Urban Management. On this occasion, Cak Imin, represented the presidential candidate pair Number One.
Muhaimin opened his speech with data on economic inequality in Indonesia. He said 100 Indonesians have more wealth than 100 million people. In this regard, Anies-Cak Imin promised to increase taxes for high-net-worth individuals and reduce taxes for the middle-income group. He also promised that if the presidential candidate pair got elected they would earmark 5% of state budget spending about Rp 150 Trillion and use the fund to help young people set up businesses.
Unlike the other two presidential candidate pairs, Imin brings a change narrative Indonesian future. This nuance of change is reflected in the Muhaimin speech in regard to the mega project IKN. Muhaimin stated that the budget for developing new capital city — IKN — would cost Rp 500 Trillion, while with only 1–3% of that budget, it can help develop toll roads across regions or build many schools in Indonesia. Furthermore, he argued that what Indonesia needs is budget prioritisation and even development across the whole of Indonesia. He thinks instead of the national budget being used for non-urgent projects such as IKN, he wants to increase the regions/cities funding to Rp 3–5 Trillion [11]. This commitment is to accelerate the development of regions/cities. At the end of their term, there would be 40 new cities that are on par with Jakarta.
Besides, reprioritisation of the nation’s spending budget is not only the problem that the presidential candidate pair aims to change. Investment regulations, permit processing time, and licencing issues are the things presidential candidate Number One is concerned with. Muhaimin argued, that current regulations on small and digital businesses have loopholes. Such loopholes are what allow the rampant online gambling in Indonesia. Additionally, the omnibus law is not enough to give investors confidence if the business permits processing and licensing is not seamless.
In terms of economy, Muhaimin in his speeches promoted the term ‘slepetnomics’, a developmentalism economic paradigm where every decision is based on conscience. This translates into their mission to reduce extreme poverty in Indonesia to 0%, opening up at least 15 million new jobs, and maintaining a low annual inflation rate of 1–2%. Due to this approach, the presidential candidate pair does not target high GDP growth, only 4–5% annually [11].
In conclusion, during this second debate, Muhaimin, the representative of the presidential candidate pair Number One, cemented their change narrative on capital spending budgeting on development, their stance on regulations and their economic policy. They want more equitable development, not just on a single mega project but more spread out; Faster and more seamless to start a new business and conservative growth, but more conscious economic policy.
3rd Debate: Defence, Security, International Relations, and Geopolitics
The topic of the third debate is Defence, Security, International Relations and Geopolitics. The debate discussed a range of sub-topics such as international debts, South-South cooperation, and others.
Anies Baswedan highlighted how he envisioned Indonesia as a global diplomacy commander, one of which is to contribute to the freedom of Palestine. On South-South cooperation, Anies highlighted his ambition to make Indonesia lead the cooperation and engagement with the Global South in tackling contemporary problems such as climate change. He also emphasised the role of ASEAN in tackling the South China Sea border issue with China and highlighted how Indonesia should lead the regional organisation in having a united voice [12].
In his speech on the foreign policy outlook session held by the CSIS in November, Anies Baswedan suggested Indonesia adopt ‘smart power’, a combination of hard power that includes economic capabilities and soft power, which includes proactive diplomacy. He also emphasised that Indonesia’s diplomacy should be based on principles rather than personal gains and pragmatism. In addition to that, he set out four steps on Indonesia’s foreign policy if he became the president: Prioritizing Indonesia’s Interests, Promoting Indonesia, Conducting Sustainable Economy and Investment, and Attaining Green Economy. These steps comprised several programs such as programs in strengthening an upright defence and strong sovereignty, more equal re-industrialization programs, increasing Indonesia’s power on the global stage through its diaspora abroad, the making of a diplomatic strategic corps, a fair mitigation and adaptation program for his objective of a green economy, and others. Other than that, the candidate also has programs that focus on Indonesia’s national branding internationally through culinary, the expansion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and sports.
His speeches and discussions about his program, vision, and mission show that the third presidential candidate pair has diverse goals for Indonesia’s foreign policy trajectories. He does not only emphasise the future of Indonesia’s hard power sectors, but also takes concern on necessary contemporary developments such as the importance of climate change, green economy, and cultural promotion. The candidate also emphasised the objective of wanting to make Indonesia more active and leading the international community by incorporating regional institutions.
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NOTE: The subsequent analysis is based on the political approach of the presidential candidate pair as expressed in their vision and mission booklet.
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4th Debate: Sustainable Development, Natural Resources, Environment, Energy, Food, Agrarian Affairs, Indigenous Communities and Villages
Regarding sustainable development and environmental management, Anies-Cak Imin’s camp has covered the essential points forward including the prudent use of natural resources and incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) perspectives on many relevant issues. Building on the fundamentals, the presidential candidate pair’s vision of a more sustainable Indonesia seems to push for more inclusivity towards the participation of and collaboration with the indigenous and local communities, compared to the other presidential candidates. Such plans towards active participation in environmental governance include the prioritisation of producing skilled jobs for local communities in the natural resource sector, involving local communities in environmental protection and management efforts, as well as in terms of managing renewable energy sources.
Anies-Cak Imin aims to achieve the target for emission reduction by 2030 and reach net zero emission (NZE) by 2060 [9]. Working towards such a goal, for the candidate pair, involves increasing the role of renewable energy in the national energy mix, breaking away from energy import dependence, as well as leveraging on the natural energy sources of geothermal, hydropower, ocean, wind, solar and biomass energy. On top of that, some alignment between economy and sustainability is needed including adding a green economy index in licensing requirements and as a basis for risk evaluation in the financial sector. Additionally, Anies-Cak Imin views transitioning into a green economy as the backbone of their political-economy policy, which includes the plan to create an environmental audit process for issuing policies, laws, and national strategic projects
5th Debate: Social Welfare, Culture, Education, Information Technology, Health, Employment, Human Resources, and Inclusion in the 2024 Presidential Candidate Programs
The themes of social welfare, culture, education, technologies, informatics, health, employment, human resources, and inclusions have been integrated into many of the second presidential candidates' missions and programs. The candidate has various programs under the social welfare sector, one of them focusing on food security through developing adequate facilities and knowledge of farmers and other food producers, securing market prices, and others. The pair also has programs for easier housing access, energy security, and water sovereignty. Other than that, Anies-Cak Imin also has programs focusing on solving and eradicating poverty. Some of the programs are direct economic assistance, incentives, and ensuring affordable prices for basic needs. On this note, to eradicate poverty the pair also has programs for creating qualified job fields with the target of creating a minimum of 15 million jobs, regulating foreign workers, and others [9]. The pair also has several programs for improving economic inequality through developing infrastructure in undeveloped areas, strengthening and even out digital literacy, and more. Anies-Cak Imin’s spokesperson emphasised that to reach just welfare for all classes, the presidential candidate will focus on developing human resources rather than focusing too much on natural resources. Thus why their programs are centred on education, health, and human resources development.
In the education sector, the pair has programs that focus on both fair access to education and the welfare and quality of teachers. Some of the programs they have are decreasing the number of drop-out students, and facilitating the ‘Kejar Paket A, B, C’, and homeschooling programs to expand education access for all. For teachers, the programs include reducing the administrative burden through the use of technology, providing career pathways certainty for teachers based on meritocracy and transparency, and others. On the notion of inclusivity, the candidate pair has some programs to ensure women’s equal rights and protection against violence and discrimination, providing well-equipped environments for mothers and children in public, policies that ensure equal opportunities for people with disability, and programs that include training, policies that ensure the rights of orphans, pensioned workers, and elderly populations. On health, the pair also focused on the nation’s resilience to pandemics and good access to medicine. The candidate also has programs specifically for athletes, artists, and cultural practitioners, focusing on ensuring their welfare and adequate facilities and support from the government.
The programs that this candidate has to offer encompass many aspects of this last theme, from focusing on different classes of the population to having missions that address current issues such as the pandemic and the emerging new generations of the nation which is the Gen Z. It could also be seen that Anies-Cak Imin’s policies have specific targets of groups.
VI. Conclusion
Since he rose as the Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan has become the main figure of the ‘antithesis’ of President Joko Widodo. Since then, the persona has only been ‘augmented and refined’ in his presidential contest alongside Muhaimin Iskandar, holding the proud banner of change and reform.
The presidential candidate pair’s harsh critics of the current regime hoard the voices of the dissatisfied crowd rallying behind their campaign to establish meaningful changes in the realm of democracy, economics and the long-term national strategic plan. Anies-Cak Imin emphasises justice in many of their policies and national plans, holding the concept of fairness as the ultimate panacea for many of Indonesia’s most crucial challenges now and ahead, spanning from Papua’s long-lasting conflict to the future plan for sustainability. They believe that justice plays a crucial part in the solution of such issues, despite the fact that the opposing candidates often dismiss their readings of the current state of Indonesia as being ‘overtly dramatic’ and their sharp arguments as merely ‘attacks to a strawman’.
In conclusion, the programs proposed by the presidential candidate are centred on elevating the welfare of the nation by highlighting fairness for all people of all classes. The candidate also put concerns about contemporary issues such as the environment, the pandemic, and the future of the young generation. Infrastructure development is at the heart of the pair’s program, which is instrumental in further equalising welfare and prosperity across the nation.
VII. References
[1] Burhani, A. N. (2020, May 19). Singapore | 28 May 2020 — Iseas–Yusof Ishak Institute. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ISEAS_Perspective_2020_54.pdf
[2] The Jakarta Post. (2023). Candidate profile: Anies Baswedan. thejakartapost.com. https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2023/11/24/candidate-profile-anies-baswedan.html
[3] Aida, N. R., & Pratiwi, I. E. (2023, September 1). Disebut Bakal Jadi Cawapres Anies Baswedan, Berikut Profil Cak Imin Halaman all. KOMPAS.com. https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2023/09/01/140000265/disebut-bakal-jadi-cawapres-anies-baswedan-berikut-profil-cak-imin?page=all
[4] Kompasiana.com. (2023, September 3). Profil Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin), Cawapres Anies Baswedan. KOMPASIANA. https://www.kompasiana.com/pintuhijrah2069/64f4904a08a8b530561ebcb3/profil-muhaimin-iskandar-cak-imin-cawapres-anies-baswedab?page=1&page_images=2
[5] Morris, C. (2021). A Centralized Pandemic Response in Decentralized Indonesia. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 43(1), 38–44. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27035522
[6] Tempo.co. (2022, October 22). Rapor Anies, Janji Kampanye, Realisasi & 20 Nilai Merah yang Indah di Kata-kata. Tempo.co. https://fokus.tempo.co/read/1645611/rapor-anies-janji-kampanye-realisasi-20-nilai-merah-yang-indah-di-kata-kata
[7] CNN Indonesia. (2022, October 13). INTIP: Janji Vs Realitas Anies untuk DKI. CNN Indonesia. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20221011141808-22-859047/intip-janji-vs-realitas-anies-untuk-dki.
[8] The Guardian. (2017, April 15). Jakarta election challenger Anies accused of courting Islamic vote amid religious divide. theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/15/jakarta-election-challenger-anies-accused-of-courting-islamic-vote-amid-religious-divide
[9] Vision and Mission Booklet, Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar. (2023). Available at https://aminajadulu.com/
[10] The Jakarta Post. (2023, December 12). LIVE BLOG: 2024 Election Debate: Round 1. thejakartapost.com. https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2023/12/12/2024-election-debate-round-1.html.
[11] The Jakarta Post. (2023, December 22). LIVE BLOG: 2024 Election Debate: Round 2. thejakartapost.com. https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2023/12/22/live-blog-2024-election-debate-round-2.html
[12] The Jakarta Post. (2024, January 7). LIVE BLOG: 2024 Election Debate: Round 3. thejakartapost.com. https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2024/01/07/live-blog-2024-election-debate-round-3.html
Contributors:
- Iqbal Mabruri — King’s College London
- Petra Christianto — The London School of Economics and Political Science
- Khalifa Maulana — Queen Mary University of London
- Reiki Januari — Goldsmiths, University of London
- Thalia Thamsir — University College London
- Yosephine Elizabeth Dame — King’s College London