From Sunan Ampel to Pasuruan, NasDem Eyes Revival in East Java Electoral District 2
The eighth day of the National Democratic Party’s (NasDem) Ramadan political tour began with a pilgrimage to the tomb of Sunan Ampel in Surabaya. During the visit, the delegation also distributed food aid to mosque officials and workers in the Sunan Ampel religious area.
The pilgrimage to one of the Nine Saints (Wali Songo) served as a reminder of the historical roots of Islamic missionary work in East Java, whilst forming part of the Ramadan political tour that combined community visits, social responsibility, and political consolidation.
Following the Surabaya agenda, activities continued to Pasuruan Regency for consolidation of Electoral District 2 in East Java, comprising Pasuruan Regency, Probolinggo Regency, Pasuruan City, and Probolinggo City.
At the forum, Deputy General Chairman of NasDem’s Central Executive Board, Saan Mustopa, highlighted the party’s electoral history across Java. Between 2014 and 2024, the party has shown positive trends on the island. He acknowledged that public receptivity to NasDem in Java still requires improvement. In the 2019 election, he stated that Electoral District 2 in East Java holds a special place in the party’s history.
“In the 2019 election, this electoral district was the only one in Indonesia where NasDem managed to secure two seats in the People’s Representative Council for the National Assembly. That is our pride,” he said in a written statement on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
Despite this, in the 2024 election, only one seat remained that could not be retained, coinciding with the loss of a seat in the Pasuruan Regency Regional House of Representatives. According to Saan, this situation should serve as material for evaluation and a turning point for revival.
“Reclaiming lost seats or even increasing them cannot be done in the usual way. It requires strength, struggle, and consistent hard work,” he stressed.
He emphasised that the first step must be to strengthen the party structure down to the grassroots level and build more intensive relations with the community. Without improving public acceptance, it would be difficult for the party to reclaim voter confidence.
“If we want those seats back, even increased, then public receptivity must improve. And that can only be achieved through real work and continuous relationship-building,” he said.
Saan also stressed that the party officials present at the consolidation play a central role in the revival process.
“All of you are agents of change. You are ambassadors carrying the face of the party amongst the community. Public trust is born from our daily work and conduct,” he said.
Through the eighth day’s agenda, a clear direction emerged: maintaining core values through pilgrimage and social responsibility, whilst reorganising political strength in a region that once was a source of party pride. For NasDem, Electoral District 2 in East Java is not merely a contest arena, but a symbol that revival is always possible as long as structures are strengthened and public trust is continuously pursued.