Golkar Deputy Chair Sees Strong Signal AHY Will Run in 2029 Presidential Election
Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party, Ahmad Doli Kurnia, believes that the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), will be a contestant in the upcoming presidential election (Pilpres).
Doli was responding to AHY’s speech at the Democratic Party’s 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday (5/9).
He fully agreed with AHY’s statement in his speech, which touched on power as a mandate that has a time limit.
“However, judging from the tone of delivery, his gestures and his standing position, AHY seemed to be giving a strong signal that he is ready to become one of the contenders in the upcoming presidential election,” Doli said when contacted on Monday (7/9).
Nevertheless, the Deputy Chairman of the DPR’s Legislative Body admitted he was puzzled by the substance of AHY’s speech. The country is currently facing major challenges, after all, and the Democratic Party and AHY are part of the governing coalition and should share responsibility.
According to Doli, AHY’s statement has begun to open up competition for the upcoming presidential election. He suspects that several forces intending to contest have begun to position themselves.
“This phenomenon further strengthens the view that the pull of the 2029 presidential election can no longer be avoided and is becoming more open. It seems several forces have already begun jockeying for position,” he said.
Doli also highlighted the speech of the Chairman of Projo, Budi Arie Setiadi, which was reminiscent of the Solo political axis, now followed by AHY as the axis of Cikeas political power, even though both are in the same boat of the governing coalition.
“It does become somewhat unique if, in the near future, another important political axis (Teuku Umar) has yet to declare readiness to fight in the 2029 presidential election,” he said.
Even so, Doli said Golkar respects every party’s political path as their internal sovereignty and authority. He affirmed that his party remains focused on supporting the programmes of President Prabowo Subianto’s government.
In his speech at the Democratic Party’s central executive office, AHY touched on a number of electoral issues. He asked all cadres, whether in the executive, legislative or regional government, to always be sensitive and honest about the realities experienced by the people on the ground.
“We ought to learn from the ten years of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration, including when the transfer of power took place peacefully and democratically after two terms. Power does not belong to anyone forever. Power is a mandate from the people that has a time limit,” he said.
He also touched on the importance of professionalism and neutrality for all state institutions and apparatus, especially during elections. According to AHY, one of the important mandates of reform is ensuring that the TNI, the National Police, intelligence, law enforcement, civil servants (ASN) and the entire state apparatus stand above all groups and do not take sides in practical politics.
“The TNI, the National Police, intelligence, law enforcement, civil servants and the entire state apparatus must be professional and neutral, including in every election. They all belong to the people, to all of us,” he said.
There has been no statement from AHY or the Democratic Party regarding Doli Kurnia’s remarks. The Democratic Party and Golkar are both part of the governing coalition. AHY, as Chairman of the Democratic Party, serves as Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, whilst Golkar Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia serves as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.