Academic Says Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin Could Be a New Political Star in 2029 Presidential Election
A public discussion organised by the Indonesian Youth Congress examining Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s position in the 2029 presidential race has highlighted his potential political prospects.
Firdaus Syam, an academic from the National University (UNAS) Jakarta, stated that Defence Minister Sjafrie possesses significant potential as a new political force in the 2029 election due to his strategic ministerial position and his combative political character stemming from his Eastern Indonesian background.
“Sjafrie, as a figure from Sulawesi, represents the characteristics typical of that region—courageous, intelligent, and a fighter. Historical examples include figures such as B.J. Habibie, Jusuf Kalla, Amir Yusuf, and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin himself,” Syam explained at a discussion held at Tamarin Hotel in Central Jakarta on 2 March 2026.
Political researcher and author Gian Kasogi characterised Sjafrie as a strategically positioned political elite and core network member of President Prabowo Subianto.
Recent findings from the Indonesian Public Institute (IPI) survey revealed numerous new political figures entering the 2029 presidential race landscape. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin ranks seventh among prospective candidates with an electability rating of 7.5 per cent, competing closely with former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (8.5 per cent, fourth place), current Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung (7.8 per cent, fifth place), and West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (7.9 per cent, sixth place).
Other emerging figures include Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa with 4.9 per cent electability and North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda with 3.8 per cent.
The IPI survey was conducted from 30 January to 5 February 2026 among 1,241 respondents aged 17 to 65 years from 35 Indonesian provinces using multistage random sampling methodology. The survey carries a margin of error of 2.78 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence level.
Political observer Ray Rangkuti assessed that Sjafrie’s entry into the presidential candidacy race adds another significant figure to the 2029 electoral competition. According to analysts, Sjafrie holds an important position within President Prabowo’s administration with influence extending beyond defence and security sectors.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chair of the NasDem Party Saan Mustopa characterised the emerging discourse surrounding President Prabowo’s potential re-candidacy in 2029 as a natural development, with the party responding calmly to the Pan-Indonesia Islamic Party’s public endorsement of Prabowo and Zulkifli Hasan as presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
IPI researcher Abdan Sakura observed that the emergence of these new names signals a significant shift in public perception regarding potential future political leaders. Sjafrie’s position as both a close confidant and highly influential minister in the cabinet underscores his formidable political standing.