The opposition party appears to be changing its tune after progressively ramping up its criticisms of the government, possibly because of Anies' stagnant electability as well as Jokowi's consistently strong ratings, analysts suggest.
Trying to defuse concerns that the Coalition for Change and Unity (KPP) was on a mission to undo the long-term goals of the Joko “Jokowi” Widodo administration, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) stated on Sunday that KPP presidential nominee Anies Baswedan would not make wholesale changes to the President’s policies if he were elected president.
“There’s nothing to fear about change, as there are plenty of people who seem to be allergic to the idea,” senior PKS politician Suswono told a party event on Sunday in Bogor, West Java.
“It’s as if Anies is going to undo everything the President has accomplished and prepared [for the country’s future]. That’s not going to happen."
While the former Jakarta governor has recently ramped up his criticism of the government, Anies also took a more conciliatory tone at the same event, trying to steer the conversation away from the next administration picking up the mantle of its predecessor.
“Change is about neither stopping nor continuing [Jokowi’s policies], it’s about including a measure of social justice in the policies we make,” Anies told the audience of PKS members.
“There’s going to be [both] continuity and change. It’s not only going to be about one or the other, but also about social justice."
While Anies again highlighted that the government lacked considering social justice in its decision-making process, he refrained from admonishing its policies.
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