A public discussion organised by the Indonesian Youth Congress\nexamining Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin\u2019s position in the 2029\npresidential race has highlighted his potential political prospects.<\/p>\n
Firdaus Syam, an academic from the National University (UNAS)\nJakarta, stated that Defence Minister Sjafrie possesses significant\npotential as a new political force in the 2029 election due to his\nstrategic ministerial position and his combative political character\nstemming from his Eastern Indonesian background.<\/p>\n
\u201cSjafrie, as a figure from Sulawesi, represents the characteristics\ntypical of that region\u2014courageous, intelligent, and a fighter.\nHistorical examples include figures such as B.J. Habibie, Jusuf Kalla,\nAmir Yusuf, and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin himself,\u201d Syam explained at a\ndiscussion held at Tamarin Hotel in Central Jakarta on 2 March 2026.<\/p>\n
Political researcher and author Gian Kasogi characterised Sjafrie as\na strategically positioned political elite and core network member of\nPresident Prabowo Subianto.<\/p>\n
Recent findings from the Indonesian Public Institute (IPI) survey\nrevealed numerous new political figures entering the 2029 presidential\nrace landscape. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin ranks seventh among\nprospective candidates with an electability rating of 7.5 per cent,\ncompeting closely with former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (8.5 per\ncent, fourth place), current Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung (7.8 per\ncent, fifth place), and West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (7.9 per cent,\nsixth place).<\/p>\n
Other emerging figures include Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa\nwith 4.9 per cent electability and North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda\nwith 3.8 per cent.<\/p>\n
The IPI survey was conducted from 30 January to 5 February 2026 among\n1,241 respondents aged 17 to 65 years from 35 Indonesian provinces using\nmultistage random sampling methodology. The survey carries a margin of\nerror of 2.78 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence level.<\/p>\n
Political observer Ray Rangkuti assessed that Sjafrie\u2019s entry into\nthe presidential candidacy race adds another significant figure to the\n2029 electoral competition. According to analysts, Sjafrie holds an\nimportant position within President Prabowo\u2019s administration with\ninfluence extending beyond defence and security sectors.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Deputy Chair of the NasDem Party Saan Mustopa\ncharacterised the emerging discourse surrounding President Prabowo\u2019s\npotential re-candidacy in 2029 as a natural development, with the party\nresponding calmly to the Pan-Indonesia Islamic Party\u2019s public\nendorsement of Prabowo and Zulkifli Hasan as presidential and\nvice-presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
IPI researcher Abdan Sakura observed that the emergence of these new\nnames signals a significant shift in public perception regarding\npotential future political leaders. Sjafrie\u2019s position as both a close\nconfidant and highly influential minister in the cabinet underscores his\nformidable political standing.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/academic-says-sjafrie-sjamsoeddin-could-be-a-new-political-star-in-2029-presidential-election-1772459912", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }