Golkar and PAN Respond to Kaesang's Plan to Run for Legislature in Central Java

The Golkar and National Mandate Party (PAN) have responded to the plan by Kaesang Pangarep, Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), to run as a legislative candidate in the 2029 General Election. Muhammad Sarmuji, Secretary-General of the Golkar Party, was unfazed by the announcement. He stated that the candidacy of the youngest son of former President Joko Widodo would not significantly affect the competition. “It’s just business as usual. The competition will remain tight with or without a new person entering the arena,” Sarmuji said on Monday. He noted that the contest for the 2029 legislative election will be fierce not only in Central Java but across many regions nationally.

Meanwhile, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, Deputy Chair of the National Mandate Party (PAN), expressed his belief that Kaesang would likely succeed if he runs from the Solo or Central Java V electoral district. Saleh suggested that Kaesang’s announcement indicated a calculated decision, given his deep roots in the area. “Maybe he has calculated many aspects before declaring. If he runs from there, he must be very confident of competing with candidates from other parties,” Saleh said. He acknowledged that the Central Java V district, which includes Solo, Boyolali, Klaten, and Sukoharjo, will be a highly competitive battleground in 2029. Kaesang himself announced his intention to run for a legislative seat from the Solo electoral district during a PSI regional coordination meeting on Saturday.