As the countdown begins for the election of Indonesia's local leaders on November 27, the race for the next governor of Jakarta is intensifying, drawing the attention of former president Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and ex-Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan. Both political heavyweights have declared their support for different candidates, turning the contest into a significant showdown that has observers excited.

Jokowi is backing Ridwan Kamil, a former governor of West Java, while Anies is throwing his weight behind Pramono Anung, a former Cabinet Secretary. The tension is palpable as some netizens have narrowed the race down to this ideological clash between Jokowi and Anies, overshadowing the actual candidates.

Current polling data indicates that Pramono Anung has a slight edge, commanding 46% of support against Ridwan Kamil's 39.1%, while independent candidate Dharma Pongrekun lags behind at just 5.1%, according to recent surveys from Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting.

Jakarta's governorship is especially significant as it is often viewed as a stepping stone to the Indonesian presidency. As the city prepares to eventually lose its status as the capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan, the political stakes are higher than ever.

The Show of Force

Earlier this week, Jokowi publicly endorsed Ridwan Kamil at a rally, describing him as the ideal leader to tackle Jakarta's complex challenges, which include pressing issues like urban flooding and air pollution. Ridwan, who has a Master’s degree in urban design from Berkeley, previously served as mayor of Bandung and was the governor of West Java from 2018 to 2023. His experience is expected to resonate well with city residents.

On the opposing front, Anies made waves by endorsing Pramono during a rally in South Jakarta, encouraging his supporters to back Pramono and his running mate Rano Karno. Pramono pledged to uphold the policies Anies championed during his tenure as governor from 2017 to 2022, banking on this continuity to attract votes from Anies’ supporters.

Potential Game Changer?

While the influence of Jokowi and Anies is under scrutiny, experts like Made Supriatma from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute suggest that their endorsements may not hold as much sway in Jakarta, a city known for its politically astute and independent electorate. Many believe that the urban populace will prioritize the candidates' platforms over high-profile endorsements.

However, Anies' backing might tip the balance in favor of Pramono, especially considering that many of his supporters feel disenfranchised following Anies' withdrawal from the race due to a lack of party endorsement.

Despite these dynamics, analysts warn that Anies' supporters might still consider abstention, making it essential for the candidates to connect authentically with voters in the lead-up to the election.

As Indonesia gears up for its largest simultaneous regional elections ever, with 545 positions across the country up for grabs, the Jakarta gubernatorial contest remains a focal point. If no single candidate secures more than 50% of the vote on November 27, a runoff will take place early next year, ensuring that this political drama is far from over.

Stay tuned to witness how this high-stakes election unfolds, as the ambitions of powerful political figures clash in the bustling heart of Indonesia!