Jakarta governor's 2024 presidential hopes hit by deadly floods

Anies Baswedan is accused of diverting protection funds for vanity projects

Locals look on as floods hit the Jatinegara area of Jakarta after heavy rains in this Jan. 2 photo. Dozens of people have died in the deluge. © Reuters

SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writer

January 9, 2020 15:36 JST

JAKARTA -- The governor of Jakarta's chances of succeeding Joko Widodo as Indonesia's next president have been hit by his handling of floods that have killed dozens in the capital.

Anies Baswedan, education minister in Widodo's first cabinet in 2014, enjoys strong support from Muslim hard-liners who are looking to back him in the 2024 presidential race.