Deputy Governor Raises Awareness of Position in Addressing Survey Gap with KDM

Bandung (ANTARA) — West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan has addressed the matter of positional awareness in response to a significant disparity in public approval ratings between himself and Governor Dedi Mulyadi (KDM).

According to data from Indikator Politik Indonesia, public satisfaction with Dedi Mulyadi’s performance reached 95.5 per cent, whilst Erwan Setiawan stood at 55.3 per cent. Responding to the figures, Erwan invoked a philosophy on leadership ethics.

“In our system of government, the deputy must not surpass the leader, and I am aware of my place. There is a Sundanese expression: ‘Taktak ulah ngaluhuran sirah’ — the shoulders must not rise above the head,” he said at Gedung Sate in Bandung on Monday.

Erwan explained that the difference in public perception is entirely natural, given the differing distribution of duties between the two officials.

“If both of us were out in the field all the time, who would mind the office? I think it’s perfectly normal and not a problem. What matters is that governance is effective and running well,” he said.

He stressed that his primary duty is to support the governor in advancing public welfare, rather than competing for popularity — particularly in their first year of leadership.

He also firmly dismissed suggestions of a rift in their relationship caused by the disparity in public profiles.

Furthermore, Erwan denied any reduction in his share of responsibilities. He stated that the delegation of authority remains proportional, including in matters of international diplomacy.

“Not at all. I am always the one who receives foreign guests. If nobody is here, who would receive them?” he said.