Cak Imin Proposes Indirect Pilkada, DPR: Party Still Simulating

The discourse on changing the regional head election system has resurfaced to the surface. Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin suggested that regional heads no longer be directly elected by the people, but by the central government or the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD).

Responding to the proposal, the Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said that every political party is currently conducting internal simulations to review various election scenarios and regional elections in the future.

"Currently, simulations about elections and regional elections have been carried out by each party," Dasco told reporters at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Monday, July 28.

The simulation, according to Dasco, is part of the first step to determine the direction of party policy, including the possibility of revising the Pilkada Bill, which has been the basis for direct regional head election law by the people.

"Maybe what the results will be, each party will explain what the parties have designed," he said.

When asked about the simulation results from the Gerindra Party, Dasco was not willing to reveal in detail, but confirmed that there would be an official submission to the public when the study was completed.

Previously, at the peak event of the commemoration of the 27th Birthday of the PKB which was held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Wednesday (23/7/2025), Cak Imin conveyed the idea of changing the regional head election system.

He divided the two electoral models, namely the governor appointed by the central government, while the regents and mayors were elected through the DPRD.

"The governor's first pattern as a representative of the central government was appointed by the central government. But the regent, because he is not a representative of the central government, the regent is elected by the people through the DPRD," said Muhaimin in his speech.

The discourse immediately sparked pros and cons among the community, academics, and political elites, considering that the local election system has been part of Indonesia's local democracy since 2005.

The proposal to change the pilkada system is certainly not as easy as turning the palm of the hand. The process must go through a discussion on the revision of the law, which requires cross-faction approval in the DPR. Therefore, simulations and studies are now being carried out by political parties into a crucial stage before the final decision is taken.

Will Cak Imin's proposal get broad support? The answer depends on the results of the simulations that are being prepared, as well as the dynamics of national politics ahead of the upcoming elections.