Many Regional Heads Appear in the Survey as a Positive Signal Ahead of the 2029 Presidential Election

The emergence of the names of a number of regional heads such as Dedi Mulyadi and Pramono Anung is considered positive for Indonesian democracy ahead of the 2029 presidential election. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Executive Director of Aljabar Strategic Indonesia, Arifki Chaniago, said that the emergence of a number of regional heads in various surveys and political discussions ahead of the 2029 Presidential Election (Pilpres) is a positive signal for the development of Indonesian democracy.

The reason is, the more figures who have the opportunity to appear on the national stage, the greater the choices that the public has to determine the best leader. According to him, a healthy democracy requires competition of ideas and the presence of more potential leaders who have capacity and track records.

"Democracy requires choices. The more figures who have the capacity to appear, the better for the quality of our democracy," said Arifki, Sunday, August 9.

He revealed that Indonesia's political experience shows that regional heads have the opportunity to rise to the level of national leadership. The 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) built his political career from Solo Mayor to president, while Anies Baswedan was able to become one of the main candidates after leading DKI Jakarta.

This pattern, continued Arifki, makes a number of regional heads currently becoming a public concern ahead of the 2029 presidential election, including West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi and DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung.

"Leading a strategic area is an important political capital. Moments like that were felt by Anies Baswedan and Ridwan Kamil before the 2024 presidential election. However, that is only the first step. The next challenge is how to build capacity, track record, and public trust at the national level," he explained.

Arifki said that three years before the presidential election was a crucial period for regional heads to prove the quality of their leadership through performance, not merely image.

"What is needed now is not a campaign, but work and the ability to use the momentum. Regional heads who are able to present solutions for the community will find it easier to gain public trust when speaking at the national level," he continued.

He emphasized that the more heads of regions who are able to show achievements, the more alternatives that the public has in determining national leaders. "In the end, democracy does not require a few choices, but requires many equally qualified choices. Healthy competition will present the best leaders for Indonesia, and such a process has already been experienced in the previous presidential election," said Arifki.