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Flooding becomes politicized as Anies faces criticism
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Members of a group supporting Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan rally inside the City Hall compound as anti-Anies demonstrators protest outside against the governor's handling of recent flooding on Tuesday. (kompas.com/Nursita Sari)
J
akarta Governor Anies Baswedan has been the subject of public debate since the widespread flooding that claimed 16 lives hit the capital at the beginning of 2020.
About a week after the floods, hashtags such as #AniesGabisakerja (Anies can’t do his job) and #Kinerja4niesJeblok (Anies’ performance sagging) were trending on Twitter.
A similar hashtag #JKTBergerakTurunkan4nies (Jakarta moves to demote Anies) and its counter hashtag #JagaDanKawalAnies (guard and escort Anies) appeared on the social media platform following two opposing protests, by those condemning and those defending Anies, staged at the same time on Tuesday outside City Hall.
The rallies became heated for a moment when protesters opposing Anies passed by those supporting the governor, who arrived earlier, on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta. Squabbles between the two sides were reported, prompting the police to escort anti-Anies protesters to the Arjuna Wiwaha statue at the Patung Kuda traffic circle near the National Monument to continue their rally.
Jakarta Bergerak (Jakarta moves) coordinator Siska Rumondor said anti-Anies protesters –reportedly unaffiliated with any organizations-- demanded the governor step down from his position because of his inability to lead Jakarta.
“We are trying to deliver [the message] that Anies Baswedan is incapable of performing his duties, not only regarding flood [mitigation efforts] but also about what he has not done to improve the welfare of residents. Many promises have not been fulfilled,” she said during the protest.
“If he cannot take care of residents, it is better to just step down.”
