The incoming ruling party in Indonesia is considering nominating family members of President-elect Prabowo Subianto for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election on November 27. The proposed candidates include Sara Djojohadikusumo, Budi Djiwandono, Rani Maulani, and Ahmad Riza Patria. Sara and Budi are the niece and nephew of Prabowo, respectively, and have been suggested as potential successors to him as chairperson of the Gerindra party. Nominations for the election are set to take place on September 22.
Sara and Budi’s potential candidacy is seen as part of a carefully planned political trajectory by the family of Prabowo’s billionaire brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo. Hashim has played a significant role in shaping Gerindra’s direction and has envisioned the party as a political vehicle not only for Prabowo but also for his own children, nieces, and nephews. Sara, who is also a deputy chair of Gerindra, is a political activist and former member of the national legislature. Budi, a deputy chairman of the house committee, is the son of economist Sudrajad Djiwandono and brother-in-law of Prabowo.
The race for Jakarta governorship, historically a key political position in Indonesia, has attracted several political heavyweights. Anies Baswedan, the previous governor, is considering running for re-election to maintain his political influence. The National Democratic (Nasdem) Party and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) are discussing the potential re-nomination of Anies, who remains a frontrunner in polls. The possibility of a rematch between Anies and former governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) is eagerly anticipated, with Ahok being considered as a potential candidate by the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
Another potential candidate for Jakarta governor is Ridwan Kamil, a rising star in Indonesian politics who has previously served as West Java governor and Bandung mayor. Golkar, Indonesia’s oldest party, is also considering Ahmed Zaki Iskandar, currently Tangerang regent, and businessman Erwin Aksa, nephew of former vice-president Jusuf Kalla, as nominees for the Jakarta governor post. The election in Jakarta is part of a larger set of local elections scheduled for November 27, with 38 governors, 416 regents, and 98 mayors to be elected across the country.
The Jakarta gubernatorial election is shaping up to be a highly competitive race with multiple prominent candidates vying for the position. Sara Djojohadikusumo and Budi Djiwandono, representing the family of President-elect Prabowo Subianto, are among those being considered for the nomination. The prospect of a potential rematch between Anies Baswedan and former governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) adds another layer of excitement to the election. With nominations set for September 22 and the election scheduled for November 27, the political landscape in Jakarta is set for a significant shift.
The involvement of political heavyweights such as Ridwan Kamil and potential nominees from Golkar further adds to the intrigue surrounding the Jakarta gubernatorial race. As Indonesia prepares for a series of local elections, including the Jakarta gubernatorial election, the country’s political future hangs in the balance. The outcome of the election will not only determine the leadership of Jakarta but also have broader implications for the country’s political landscape.
