In this episode, we give an update on the first few months of Governor Anies’ reign over Jakarta. We talk about some of the promises he and Vice-Governor Sandiaga Uno made during their campaign, and whether or not they have fulfilled those promises (spoiler alert: not really) — specifically, the zero rupiah down payment housing program for low-income families, stopping the controversial land reclamation program, and the universal transport card, also known as OK Otrip. We also discuss some of his stranger policy ideas when it comes to tackling Jakarta’s two biggest issues — traffic and flooding — with the reintroduction of becak (traditional rickshaws) and blocking roads in favor of pedagang kaki lima or unauthorized street vendors.
We’re discussing all of this not just to simply criticize Anies, but to observe and analyze his actions in the context of the 2019 presidential elections, particularly his positioning of himself as the antithesis of Jokowi (the pragmatic progressive doer) as well as his problematic relationship with extremist Islam factions and polarizing figures such as Habib Rizieq, the leader of FPI or the Islamic Defenders Front, the group responsible for pushing the blasphemy case against Ahok and further dividing the city (and, subsequently, the nation). As is often the case, what’s happening in Jakarta is usually indicative of what will likely happen in the rest of the country, so we’re keeping our eyes peeled and fingers crossed!
Thanks for listening!
