Surabaya – The future presidential candidate Anies Baswedan participated in a discussion forum with leaders and editors of mass media in Surabaya organized by the NasDem party. During the event titled “Editors Meeting with Mas Anies Baswedan,” Anies was mentioned on the issue of identity politics which often attacks him.

According to Anies, identity politics cannot be avoided. In a political competition, each competing candidate always has an identity attached to him.

“Identity politics is something that cannot be avoided. For example, the competing candidates are male and female, so there is gender identity,” Anies said at Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya on Friday (17 /3/2023) evening.

Even so, when there are two candidates of different ethnicities, it is possible for supporters on both sides to struggle with the issue of ethnic differences. This is common in elections.

Anies then shared what happened during the DKI Pilkada 2017. At that time, pairs of contestants from different religious backgrounds were competing. Anies is partnered with Sandiaga Uno against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) who is partnered with Djarot Saiful Hidayat.

“What happened in 2017, the contestants who competed had different religions. So the identity that was seen was religion. That will continue to happen as long as the contestants have different identities, whether it’s the gender, ethnicity or religion,” Anies explained.

Therefore, said Anies, it is important that every candidate vying for election has maturity. The winning and losing candidates. Once the election is over, there must be a meeting point between each side.

“Winners want to embrace those who lose. Meanwhile, those who lose must also be willing to admit defeat,” he said.

For Anies, it doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t like her. Even if he is hated because of a different identity. However, he will always invite those skilled in their respective fields to collaborate and work together to bring about better change.

“It’s okay if you don’t love me, it doesn’t matter if you don’t love me. But I will always invite anyone to chat, together to build contributing movements to bring about change,” said Anies.

Mass Media Editor Chat is one of Anies East Java safari series. Today, Anies is to visit an orphanage, visit Dolly’s former MSME location center, and then leave for Madura to pray to the clerics.

Watch the video “The eligibility survey is not number 1 yet, Anies: We are used to being number 3“

(hil/dte)