TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several faction leaders in the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) openly reminded Governor Anies Baswedan to focus on the long list of tasks yet to be accomplished in Jakarta under his leadership, rather than considering on submitting as a candidate in the 2019 presidential election.

Such assessment came from the Nasdem Party faction leader Bestari Barus, who had backed former Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama in the 2017 gubernatorial election.

On the rumors of Anies’ presidential election candidacy, Bestari made clear that he is fully aware that Anies Baswedan has every right as a citizen to vote and be voted. “But there is still plenty of homework to be completed in Jakarta, how would people perceive that?” said Bestari on Wednesday, July 11.

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A similar opinion was shared by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) faction leader Gembong Warsono, which was Ahok’s political vessel in the previous Jakarta gubernatorial election

“Anies Baswedan is given the trust to take the Jakarta citizens into the path of improvement and happiness,” Gembong reminded.

However, contradicting both Bestari and Gembong is Muhammad Taufik, advisor for the Gerindra faction in the DPRD, who has no disagreement towards Anies Baswedan running for the presidential election candidacy in 2019. Gerindra had fully backed Anies Baswedan in the 2017 election.

M YUSUF MANURUNG