Yenny Wahid Ready to Be Vice President, Cites Close Relationship with Anies Baswedan
Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – The daughter of the 4th President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Yenny Wahid, is ready to run as a potential vice presidential candidate if chosen by one of the potential presidential candidates who are prominently contesting the 2024 Presidential Election. Yenny speaks of her special connection with Anies Baswedan, a potential presidential candidate from the Coalition for Change for Unity (KPP).
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“As someone who has been involved in politics for quite some time, one must be prepared to hold public office. Because that is indeed one of our goals, to hold a strategic public office in order to make public policies that bring about positive changes in society,” Yenny said after an event with MPR Chairman Bambang Soesatyo, where they received a delegation from the Global Council for Tolerance & Peace (GCTP) and signed an MoU at the MPR/DPR/DPD RI building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (8/8/2023).
“So, for those who have been in the political arena, when there is momentum, when there is an opportunity, one must be willing if the aspiration is to work in the field of public policy. I am also in that category, of course, one must be prepared, willing, and ready. Of course, one must be ready,” Yenny added in response to the question of whether she is ready if chosen to be a vice presidential candidate.
Yenny admitted to having a close relationship with the three potential presidential candidates, namely former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo. Yenny mentioned that she has a special connection with Anies.
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“All the same, all the same (communication). I have a special connection with Mr. Anies, because he was my rector and one of my lecturers. When I returned from pursuing my master’s degree in America, Mas Anies offered me a position at Paramadina University, where he was the rector at the time,” she said.
Yenny said she is also close to Ganjar because they are part of the same community. As for Prabowo, Yenny said they are close because her husband was once a member of the Gerindra Party.
“Then, with Mr. Ganjar, for example, we are close as friends because we share the same community. And then, my husband was also at UGM. So, he was friends with Mr. Ganjar, and that also makes him our friend and playmate. And with Mr. Prabowo, my husband was in Gerindra Party,” Yenny explained.
“So, when it comes to communication, it flows smoothly with all these candidates,” she continued.