When asked whether he had coordinated with PDIP, Jokowi did not answer directly. Instead, he emphasized that he believed with AHY's background, he could fulfill his responsibilities as the Minister of ATR. "I think he can and is very ready," said Jokowi.

Apart from military education, AHY also pursued formal higher education. He holds three master's degrees, namely a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2006, a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, United States in 2010, and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management from Webster University, United States, achieving Summa Cum Laude honors in 2015 with a GPA of 4.0.

AHY first entered the political world when he was appointed by the Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party (PPP), and the National Mandate Party (PAN) to become a candidate for the governor of Jakarta in the 2017 Regional Election.