Thomas Lembong’s insights, reflecting on CNBC TV, align with Anies Baswedan’s vision for economic policy, emphasizing equitable prosperity over mere infrastructural achievements. #kbanews
IN the past few days, from November 11, 2023, to today, November 15, 2023, I have been engaging in activities to strengthen volunteers in several areas in East Java.
The stirrings of change have become a certainty, how could it not be when in several places discussions about presidential and vice-presidential candidates become a widely discussed topic, especially after the determination of the order numbers for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Now the order numbers of the candidate pairs are clear, the pair Anies – Muhaimin Iskandar (AMIN) has received order number 1, the pair Prabowo – Gibran has received order number 2 and the pair Ganjar – Mahfud has received order number 3.
Observing the constellation and the vision-mission of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, it seems that it can be seen as a path of change and a path of continuity. The AMIN pair carries the message of change while the other two pairs carry more messages of continuity. Unfortunately, even the message of continuity is now shaky amidst the dynamics occurring between the PDIP and the Jokowi family.
So what is meant by change?
The AMIN pair, on many occasions, has stated that change means correcting what was wrong in the past and replacing it with new and right things while continuing the good and adding value.
Anies gives examples in his track record in Jakarta, Jakarta Health Card became Jakarta Health Card Plus, adding value to something considered good; the community’s uproar caused by ethnicity, religion, and race, replaced with a peaceful atmosphere, tolerance, and mutual respect, so in Jakarta, Anies provided operational assistance to places of worship (BOTI), the Jakarta coastal reclamation that disrupted the livelihood of fishermen, was stopped and replaced with new things that do not harm both parties, what was already running was allowed and directed, what was not yet running was stopped with consideration for the best interest of the fishing community.
AMIN is the path of change; as the path of change, this pair becomes a symbol of resistance and the people’s movement. A resistance carried out by the people with the hope that the things causing the people to suffer due to the policies of the past regime are addressed by not choosing them and increasing community escalation to realize the hoped-for change.
Then how can this change occur? This is where the ability to elaborate is needed. Whoever needs change and AMIN must win, then there is no other choice but to ensure that AMIN must win.
Supporting parties, proponents, and volunteers who advocate for change should map and ensure pockets of votes that can be garnered.
In the past few days we have done in several places grouped into several electoral districts, there are several things that are not ready and can be said to be a weakness.
The volunteers’ ability to understand the surrounding community and the expected needs is still very weak, let alone the ability to see the distribution of polling stations and prepare votes and their security.
Most of our volunteers are still self-satisfied with absurd things that they consider as a path to victory. Playing on social media, insulting other pairs and being proud of the good news about AMIN, still colors much of their perspective, causing volunteers to be allergic to criticism and input.
In several activities that we have carried out in some electoral district areas, it is clear how weak the volunteers are in making a roadmap towards change. As a companion to volunteers who will drive the winning machine, we must get volunteers to know exactly the situation of each. Counting, mapping, and how many votes will be won.
The people’s resistance movement must be stirred up as the path of change. So in the opportunity I have to accompany them, every volunteer and group of volunteers must make themselves a post for people’s advocacy.
The people’s resistance movement must be stirred up as the path of change. As happened in the battle of November 10, 1945. When the Dutch ultimatum to the people of Surabaya with all their might, the people of Surabaya did not surrender, they made resistance pamphlets, so the Dutch had to surrender to the people of Surabaya.
The resistance of the people of Surabaya is a real example that can be used as a model for the people’s resistance movement towards change. So in the opportunity I have to accompany them, every volunteer and group of volunteers should make themselves a post for people’s advocacy. Present as an advocate for solutions to the problems and needs of the people. They dare to shout when they see fraud and inequality experienced by the people.
In terms of elections and presidential elections, they dare to shout and advocate for polling stations suspected of fraud and inequality. This can only be done by those who have a fighter’s mentality and are aware that change is a necessity and something needed.
* Isa Ansori, Columnist and Academician, Lives in Surabaya
