TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan stated in an interview with Reuters in Singapore that he is ready to run for president in the 2024 general elections. He said not being a political party cadre gives him room to communicate with all groups.

“I am prepared to run for president if a party nominates me,” said Anies as quoted by Reuters on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

The former education minister added that survey results which often put him in the top three presidential candidates occurred before he started campaigning. This, he opined, gave him more credibility.

In response to this, NasDem Party deputy chair Ahmad Ali said the governor made a reasonable statement because Anies’ popularity and electability in each survey showed good results. The figure is considered attractive for political parties.

“It is interesting because Anies is not a member of a political party,” Ali told Tempo on Thursday, adding that Anies' early declaration should be respected.

Anies Baswedan is among the three presidential candidates to be endorsed by the NasDem Party. The other two are Ganjar Pranowo and Andika Perkasa. The party chair Surya Paloh had announced them at the party’s national meeting in mid-June.

Ali added that NasDem is exploring collaboration with other parties to offer those figures. The party is also mulling over another potential name to be nominated as president in the 2024 general elections.

IMA DINI SHAFIRA | REUTERS

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