Anies Meets SBY-AHY, Spokesperson: There Was Some Misunderstanding, but Relations Remain Good

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is said to still maintain good relations with Indonesia’s sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Democratic Party General Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY).

However, Anies’ relationship with the Democratic Party had temporarily strained due to his decision in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres) to run alongside the General Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar.

“Yes, there might have been some misunderstanding, but the good relations continue,” said Usamah Abdul Aziz, when contacted by Kompas.com on Tuesday night (24/6/2025).

On that occasion, Anies also met with Yenny Wahid, the daughter of the late fourth President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid.

Not only Yenny, Usamah also revealed that the 2024 presidential candidate met with Gerindra Party’s Daily Chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

“Well, it’s normal to visit, as Mbak Yenny Wahid and Pak Dasco were there too,” he explained.

This is because, on Eid, Anies also visited the homes of other senior political figures.

“Mas Anies also went to Pak JK (Jusuf Kalla), he visited his seniors,” he added.

It is known that Anies and AHY had previously explored the possibility of running as presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the 2024 Pilpres.

However, over time, the General Chairman of the Nasdem Party, Surya Paloh, eventually agreed with the PKB to pair Anies and Muhaimin.

The Democrats were initially furious about this political manoeuvre.

Eventually, the Democrats chose to join the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM), which nominated Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.