UNAIR NEWS – Approaching the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres), the polarization of society divided into two sides is starting to form again. After Cebong vs Kampret in the 2019 Presidential Election, this time, the polarization of society was formed due to the rivalry between Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan.
Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan are predicted to be presidential candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election. Both have a fairly strong mass base, especially considering their track record as regional leaders and alumni of one of the best universities in Indonesia.
2023 is a political year because all of Indonesia becomes the target of a political battle. The electability between Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan is quite high when compared to other names.
Uncertain candidates
Responding to the rivalry between the two governors, Political Science expert at Universitas Airlangga Ali Sahab SIP MSi, in an interview with UNAIR NEWS on Thursday, January 5, 2023, said that people don’t need to be carried away by current politics. It is reasonable because the names buzzed in the media now do not necessarily become presidential candidates in the 2024 Presidential Election.
“I don’t think we need to get carried away like that because it is not certain that they will become presidential candidates in 2024,” he said.
However, Ali stated that any presidential candidate running for office could conduct outreach to introduce their ideas to the public. The dissemination, he continued, was legitimate to attract public sympathy.
“I think anyone who wants to run as a presidential candidate can introduce their ideas for Indonesia going forward,” he said.
No permanent friends and foes
Ali appealed to the public not to be divided just because of the presidential election. According to him, people will be at a loss if political choices and views can cause divisions among them. He reminded us that there are no permanent friends and foes in politics.
“I think we will lose if, because of the 2024 Presidential Election, people have different choices and then split. We saw how Prabowo finally joined Jokowi’s cabinet. So, there are no permanent friends and foes in politics; there are only eternal interests,” he said.
As a closing statement, Ali emphasized strengthening political education as a basis for understanding the political map of Indonesia, especially ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election, so people can avoid unnecessary conflicts.
“Political education is important to see that political competition should not be turned into a conflict that can lead to social divisions,” said Ali. (*)
Author: Dewi Yugi Arti
Editor: Feri Fenoria
