Jakarta Legislative Comments on Protest against Anies Baswedan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Deputy Chief of Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD DKI), Zita Anjani, deems the demonstration by a number of civil organizations to be inappropriate. She views that the people of Jakarta should instead convey their aspirations constructively, geared to improve the manner in which Jakarta would handle flooding.

“If what is conveyed is to depose (the governor), then it is not right,” said Zita in her office, on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Zita went on to say that the city administration is currently still focusing itself on handling the rehabilitation of the people hit by the flood. As a result, she has asked the Jakartans not to impart judgments unilaterally on Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

Two groups of civil organizations have planned to gather for a demonstration in the City Hall today, January 14, 2020. The first of the two civil organizations stand in opposition to the steps taken by Jakarta Governor in handling the floods that swamped Jakarta, earlier this year.

The first group of civil organizations, named ‘Suara Rakyat Bersatu’ and ‘Jakarta Bergerak’ demand Anies to step down from his current position as Governor. The organization initiated by Dewi Tanjung, a politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), deems Anies incompetent in handling the Jakarta floods.

“[We] demand Anies to step down,” said Coordinator of ‘Suara Rakyat Bersatu’, Sisca Rumondor, when contacted yesterday.

Another organization is the one that supports Anies Baswedan. One of its constituents is ‘Ormas Bang Japar.’ Chairman and one of the founders of the civil organization, Fahira Idris, also sees the demonstration to depose Anies to be inappropriate.

According to Fahira, the handling of the floods is not a responsibility that falls solely on Anies, instead, it is also President Joko Widodo’s responsibility.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ | DIO SUHENDA