Ex-presidential candidate Anies gets PDI-P boost for Jakarta polls

This could again bring Indonesia’s largest party head-to-head with Gerindra, Jokowi

- Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

Former presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has secured the backing of leaders from Indonesia’s largest party in Parliament, sources say, in a major boost for his chances at the local government elections in November.

According to party insiders, the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has proposed the fielding of Mr Anies, who is not affiliated to any party, as the candidate for Jakarta governor in the election on Nov 27.

It has also put forward its newly recruited cadre, former armed forces general Andika Perkasa, 59, as a potential running mate for Mr Anies, 55. Meanwhile, the party’s executive committee has suggested MP Adisatrya Suryo Sulisto, 50, as Mr Anies’ running mate, insiders told The Straits Times.

“There were efforts to stifle Anies from getting a ticket for the Jakarta election, but polls show his chances are high and support for him kept coming,” a party insider said on condition of anonymity.