{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1668835,
        "msgid": "new-chapter-for-golkar-in-west-java-tests-daniels-acumen-in-selecting-leadership-1775796663",
        "date": "2026-04-10 10:55:00",
        "title": "New Chapter for Golkar in West Java Tests Daniel's Acumen in Selecting Leadership",
        "author": "Sugeng",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "The leadership transition within the Golkar Party in West Java ahead of the 2026 Regional Conference has drawn academic attention, particularly the acclamation of Daniel Mutaqien as chairman and the withdrawal of strong candidate Ahmad Hidayat, who is now tipped for the secretary position. Political observer Kristian Widya Wicaksono from Parahyangan Catholic University highlights how Hidayat's ties to West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi could bridge party and provincial government communication but risks perceptions of external influence. He stresses the need for a balanced structure emphasising equity, regional representation, and clear task divisions to foster internal unity and avert conflicts that could impact the 2029 political landscape.",
        "content": "<p>The leadership change within the Golkar Party in West Java at the\n2026 Regional Conference has attracted attention from academic circles.\nTwo names are in the spotlight: Daniel Mutaqien, who was elected by\nacclamation as chairman, and Ahmad Hidayat, a strong candidate for\nchairman who withdrew just before the selection process. Ahmad Hidayat\nis reportedly a leading candidate to serve as Secretary of the Golkar\nParty in West Java. Political observer from Parahyangan Catholic\nUniversity (Unpar), Kristian Widya Wicaksono, views Hidayat\u2019s withdrawal\nas a strong candidate as reflecting a common pattern in political\nparties. \u201cThere are internal groups with significant influence,\nespecially in the contest for strategic positions,\u201d he explained. Ahmad\nHidayat is known as a figure close to West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi,\nwho previously served as Chairman of Golkar in West Java. It is no\nsurprise that Ahmad Hidayat\u2019s name is being widely pushed and has the\npotential to become Secretary of Golkar in West Java. \u201cRegarding this, I\nsee it from two sides. On one side, Ahmad\u2019s closeness to KDM can serve\nas a bridge for communication between Golkar and the West Java\nProvincial Government,\u201d Kristian stated. On the other hand, the\nstrategic secretary position could potentially create perceptions of\nexternal influence within the party if not managed clearly. \u201cIt can\nbecome a strong communication channel, but it can also raise internal\nsuspicions if seen as too close to interests outside the party,\u201d he\nemphasised. Towards 2029 He added that the impact of this structure\narrangement could also influence the political map heading towards 2029,\nespecially if it fails to build a sense of togetherness within the\nparty. Previous experiences show that elite conflicts at the provincial\nlevel can quickly spread to lower levels if decisions are seen as not\nrepresenting all factions. Therefore, he continued, it is very important\nto arrange the leadership structure prioritising balance, not just job\ndistribution. \u201cThe organisational structure must be built with the logic\nof balance, considering the spread of support, regional representation,\nand wing organisations, so that no faction feels sidelined,\u201d he said. In\naddition, clear task division, including in communication with external\nparties, is considered important to maintain the party\u2019s independence\nand prevent new conflicts in the future. \u201cSo, a healthy structure is not\nthe one announced the fastest, but the one divided most fairly, with the\nclearest boundaries, and the strongest oversight mechanisms,\u201d he stated.\nFurthermore, Kristian sees the current dynamics within the Golkar Party\nin West Java not merely as a personal matter, but as part of the\ninfluence struggle within the party that often occurs in the process of\njob distribution. \u201cThis is more accurately read as an influence struggle\nwithin the party, not just about liking or disliking one figure,\u201d he\nemphasised. Ahmad Hidayat\u2019s step in not continuing his candidacy in the\nRegional Conference is part of internal political compromise.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-chapter-for-golkar-in-west-java-tests-daniels-acumen-in-selecting-leadership-1775796663",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}