Bahlil Teases East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak to Switch to Golkar: 'I Can See Him Wavering'
Golkar Party Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia jokingly invited East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak to switch to the Golkar party during the inauguration of Golkar regional board officials across East Java in Surabaya on Sunday, 16 February 2026.
Emil Dardak is a Democrat Party cadre and currently serves as Chairman of the Democrat Party's East Java regional board. He attended the Golkar event representing East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
"How about it, Deputy Governor — are you starting to waver? I can see you're starting to waver," Bahlil said, drawing laughter from the thousands of cadres in attendance. "If your heart is already feeling comfortable, then there's nothing wrong with that."
This was not the first time Bahlil has made such a quip to Emil. In his address at the inauguration held at Jatim Expo Surabaya, Bahlil touched on Golkar's good relations with several parties, including NasDem, Hanura, Gerindra, and the Democrats.
"If there are cadres who go to other parties, they haven't left — they've just temporarily migrated. If they miss home, they're welcome to return. We're one house, just different rooms," Bahlil said.
Bahlil added that Golkar continues to strengthen its organisational consolidation down to the district and city levels, describing structural solidarity as the key to facing future political agendas.
The inauguration was attended by provincial and regional officials and approximately three thousand cadres, as well as representatives of political party leaders at the East Java level. The event was expected to bolster the party's internal solidarity while enhancing readiness to face political dynamics at both regional and national levels.
Emil Dardak is a Democrat Party cadre and currently serves as Chairman of the Democrat Party's East Java regional board. He attended the Golkar event representing East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
"How about it, Deputy Governor — are you starting to waver? I can see you're starting to waver," Bahlil said, drawing laughter from the thousands of cadres in attendance. "If your heart is already feeling comfortable, then there's nothing wrong with that."
This was not the first time Bahlil has made such a quip to Emil. In his address at the inauguration held at Jatim Expo Surabaya, Bahlil touched on Golkar's good relations with several parties, including NasDem, Hanura, Gerindra, and the Democrats.
"If there are cadres who go to other parties, they haven't left — they've just temporarily migrated. If they miss home, they're welcome to return. We're one house, just different rooms," Bahlil said.
Bahlil added that Golkar continues to strengthen its organisational consolidation down to the district and city levels, describing structural solidarity as the key to facing future political agendas.
The inauguration was attended by provincial and regional officials and approximately three thousand cadres, as well as representatives of political party leaders at the East Java level. The event was expected to bolster the party's internal solidarity while enhancing readiness to face political dynamics at both regional and national levels.