“Anies Baswedan should remember that he himself is non-pribumi [non-indigenous],” a young businessman shared his anger to his friends on Tuesday morning.

The new Jakarta governor sparked public anger when he touched on the politically sensitive issue in his first public speech after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo swore him and his deputy Sandiaga Uno in at the State Palace on Monday.

Before commenting further, let me make it clear first: I did not vote for Anies. But I promised on Sunday to my second son that I would follow his mature political stance. Starting from Oct. 16, Anies is my legitimate leader for the next five years because he was democratically elected. “That is the basic principle of democracy,” my son told me.

But the governor’s statement is indeed irritating. Knowing his status as an internationally recognized intellectual, and considering his direct involvement in the tense and divisive Jakarta gubernatorial election, it is very hard for many Indonesians to accept his argument that he did not intend to hurt and attack Chinese Indonesians in his remark. Anies might also target other minority groups. That is the sentiment of many people, as much as I have gathered from social media.

The former Paramadina University rector obtained his political science doctorate from Northern Illinois University in 2005, a master’s in public policy from the University of Maryland, and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University.

In 2008, United States magazine Foreign Policy ranked him among its top 100 public intellectuals in the world, and the World Economic Forum included him in its Young Global Leaders 2009. In April 2010, Tokyo-based international affairs magazine Foresight included Anies in its “20 Persons 20 Years” issue.

Was it merely a slip of the tongue or a stupid mistake? Such a historic oration should have been carefully crafted. It was a prepared speech, although he added to it with some off-the-cuff remarks. It is probably ridiculous, but many suspect that Anies has been preparing himself for the 2019 presidential election and therefore he should capitalize on the major elements of his victory in the Jakarta election.

Jokowi still rules Indonesia until October 2019, but election fever is definitely in the air, although who will run in the presidential election remains as yet unknown.

Anies should know his controversial statement has offended and angered many. He should also realize that it could justify groups or people demanding the government take harsher action to stop the economic domination by minority groups. Such an anti non-indigenous campaign could easily spread to regions that will host local elections in June 2018.

Many had expected Anies to send a strong reconciliatory message to the Jakarta population, because the two-round gubernatorial election earlier this year had split the city.

The term pribumi is generally aimed at Chinese Indonesians, the group that Anies’ defeated rival Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama belongs to. For decades the ethnic group has dominated Indonesia’s economy despite its relatively small in population. This income gap has several times triggered anti-Chinese protests in the country.

Anies, an Indonesian of Arabic origin, insisted that pribumi in his Monday speech should be strictly understood in the context of the Dutch colonial era, during which Arabs did not belong to the “inlander” category.

“[...] because I wrote it also in the context of the past colonial era,” the 48-year old governor told reporters at the City Hall on Tuesday.

In his official remark, Anies said “We, the pribumi, have been oppressed and conquered. Now it’s time for us to become the masters of our own land. We worked hard to eliminate colonialism and we must enjoy our freedom.”

Jakarta, he added, was among few regions that endured colonialization for hundreds of years. “In other places, colonialism is far away, but in Jakarta and for Jakartans colonialism is just within sight. They experience it daily. Therefore when we are free, the promises should be paid off for Jakartans,” he said.

But from today’s context, Anies may intend to refer to the current situation of Jakarta. Why he revived the indigenous vs non-indigenous controversy out of the blue while Indonesia enforces Law No. 40/2008 on the Elimination of Race and Ethnic Discrimination that outlaws the practice of pribumi and non-pribumi discrimination in all government activities.

Four months after the May 1998 riots, which clearly targeted Chinese Indonesians, then president BJ Habibie issued Presidential Instruction No. 26/1998 on the prohibition of the use of the two discriminatory terms in any state and government affairs.

The Jakarta electoral campaigns witnessed anti-Chinese and anti-minority sentiments, although a number of scholars denied they contributed to Anies’ victory.

The use of pribumi could be a blunder, but could also give Anies an advantage. One thing is sure, however, that it is not helpful at all in reconciling the people who should unite to support their leader. Jakarta needs a healing process, which is not easy at all. Anies is the only person who can lead the reconciliation, although he knows very well it is still very difficult for many to accept his leadership.

Whatever happens, however, I should reiterate that Anies Baswedan will remain my legitimate leader.

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