Conflict Between The Regent And Deputy Regent Of Sidoarjo Memanas, Mimik Denies Ambition To Replace Subandi

The Regent of Subandi and Deputy Regent of Sidoarjo Mimik Indayana (white clothes) (doc Sidoarjo Regency Government)

SIDOARJO Conflict between Sidoarjo Regent Subandi and Mimik Deputy Regent Idayana is heating up. The two regional leaders again threw accusations at each other, after Subandi accused his deputy of having ambitions to win the regent's position or W1.

Deputy Regent of Mimik Idayana strongly denied the allegations. Through a video that went viral on social media, he emphasized that he did not have the political ambition to replace Subandi, and was only committed to carrying out his duties as a companion to the regent.

"I am very offended by the honorable statement of the Regent of Subandi. I have been accompanying Panjenengan from the start, I am istikamah," Mimik said in a video uploaded to the Instagram account @jatimnetgroup, quoted by VOI.ID Thursday, December 11.

Mimik said that the problem between himself and Subandi was not because of his ambition to become regent. He even emphasized that it was enough with the position of deputy regent, which he currently holds.

"It's not because I'm ambitious to become a W1. I've been quite a representative. W2 is so draining my energy and mind," he said.

He added, for eight months serving as deputy regent, he had carried out the mandate by going directly to the community, absorbing aspirations, and carrying out his duties as a companion to the regent. "Here I emphasize, I have no ambition to become W1," said Mimik.

Subandi and Mimik were sworn in as regents and deputy regents of Sidoarjo on February 20, 2025. The couple, promoted by the Gerindra, Golkar, Democrats, Hanura, Labor Party, PKN, Garuda, Perindo, and the Ummat Party, were initially committed to advancing the region.

However, the relationship between the two broke down after a number of political events. The conflict began when Subandi criticized the Sidoarjo DPRD for being considered a waste of people's money. The criticism sparked tension until the DPRD demanded Subandi apologize publicly.

Subandi then apologized at the plenary meeting, but the Gerindra faction refused. Mimik, who is also the chairman of the Gerindra Sidoarjo DPC, criticized and accused Subandi of not knowing himself. "He became a regent because he was promoted by our party," he said at the time.

Mimik also admitted that he was often not involved in important decisions by Subandi. Tensions escalated after Subandi transferred a number of ASN without coordinating with his representatives. For this action, Mimik even briefly reported Subandi to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Until now, the internal conflict between the two Sidoarjo leaders has not shown signs of easing.