Anies: Now No Ordinary Person Can Become Mayor
Anies Baswedan spoke about the democratic system in Indonesia, which is now starting to be different. He said the founding fathers fought for equality with great difficulty but gradually it faded.
"The main message is that the founders of this republic were educated people, intellectuals who had extraordinary privileges, so they chose to establish a republic that is equal for all. Isn't that terrible," said Anies in his remarks at the KAHMI Jaya event, Ancol, North Jakarta, Thursday (16/3/2023).
Anies mentioned that it is now difficult for ordinary people to become leaders. According to him, the aristocracy in Indonesia is actually a cultural heritage, not a political entity.
"They used to think they were not equal. Today no mediocre person can become mayor. No mediocre person can become a Regent. No person from a non-aristocratic family background, a non-aristocrat can become someone," said Anies.
"Look at our neighbors. They defend the aristocracy, here feudalism is eliminated, colonialism is eliminated, the aristocracy becomes a cultural heritage," he continued.
Anies assesses that his current vision is to restore the spirit of democracy in Indonesia to its beginnings. "So, the question is not just continuing and not continuing. The question is returning to the basic spirit, the basic values why this republic was founded. If you use the language, NasDem is restoration, because restoration means returning to the beginning," he concluded.
Anies: Kini Tak Ada Orang Biasa-biasa Saja Bisa Jadi Wali Kota
Anies Baswedan bicara terkait sistem demokrasi di Indonesia yang kini mulai berbeda. Ia mengatakan pendiri negara memperjuangkan kesetaraan dengan susah payah tetapi lambat laun justru pudar.
"Pesan utamanya adalah bahwa para pendiri republik ini adalah kaum terdidik, kaum intelektual yang memiliki privilege yang luar biasa, lalu mereka memilih mendirikan sebuah republik yang setara untuk semua. Itu apa nggak dahsyat," kata Anies dalam sambutannya di acara KAHMI Jaya, Ancol, Jakarta Utara, Kamis (16/3/2023).
Anies menyinggung kini masyarakat biasa sulit untuk menjadi seorang pemimpin. Menurutnya, aristokrasi di Indonesia justru menjadi warisan budaya bukan sebagai entitas politik.
"Dulu mereka berpikir, tidak setara. Hari ini tidak ada orang biasa-biasa saja bisa jadi Wali Kota. Tidak ada orang biasa-biasa saja bisa jadi Bupati. Tidak ada orang dari background keluarga non ningrat, non aristokrat bisa menjadi seseorang," tutur Anies.
"Lihat tetangga kita. Mereka mempertahankan aristokrasi, di sini feodalisme dihilangkan, kolonialisme dihilangkan, aristokrasi menjadi warisan budaya," sambungnya.
Anies menilai visinya saat ini mengembalikan marwah demokrasi di Indonesia ke awalnya. "Jadi, pertanyaan bukan sekedar melanjutkan dan tidak melanjutkan. Pertanyaannya adalah mengembalikan kepada spirit dasar, nilai dasar mengapa republik ini didirikan. Kalau pakai bahasanya NasDem adalah restorasi, karena restorasi itu artinya mengembalikan kepada yang awal," pungkasnya.