Public Satisfaction with KDM at 95.4 Percent, Unpad Academics Offer Advice to Strengthen Performance

A recent survey by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) recorded that public satisfaction with the performance of West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi reached 95.4 percent. Responding to the survey results, two academics from Padjadjaran University (Unpad) offered several suggestions to the Governor, commonly known as KDM.

Antik Bintari, a lecturer in Government Science at Unpad, stated that surveys are necessary to map out crucial issues that should be the focus of regional leaders. By referring to the survey results, every stakeholder can work together to realise the tagline ‘West Java Istimewa’ (Special West Java). ‘Hopefully, the special aspect is in the context that all programmes can run according to the established corridors and the main duties and functions of each regional apparatus,’ Antik said during the release of the public evaluation survey on the West Java Provincial Government’s performance in Bandung on Thursday, 23 July 2026.

Nevertheless, Antik specifically highlighted issues often overlooked by regional heads, one of which is gender inequality. She argued that this issue is sometimes not a top priority. ‘Because gender inequality will affect all other programmes, for example, women’s empowerment, child protection, stunting, and human trafficking, these must also be priorities,’ she said. Antik acknowledged that gender inequality is already a serious concern for the West Java Provincial Government, but handling it would be more measurable if it involved coordination across various government agencies. ‘So, the issue is not solely owned by the Women’s Empowerment Office. The regional head must ensure other regional apparatuses also contribute to eliminating this problem,’ she stated.

Antik also praised KDM’s political courage in suppressing his ego by maintaining and even modifying several relevant programmes initiated by previous governors. This programme continuity has had a more positive impact on the community. ‘In my opinion, this is a plus point for Mr Dedi Mulyadi as Governor for maintaining good programmes,’ she said.

Regarding the issue of unemployment, Antik suggested that KDM partner with more stakeholders. She noted that according to the pentahelix approach, this is not solely the government’s task. The unemployment issue, she continued, is also related to the currently limited availability of jobs.

Meanwhile, Unpad Political Science lecturer M. Fazrulzaman Azmi acknowledged that KDM is a strong figure based on the latest LSI survey. He considered KDM a figure who would be difficult for competitors to defeat in the upcoming West Java gubernatorial election, and who even has the potential to be considered on the national stage. However, Fazrul noted that there are challenges KDM must address. ‘Do not let this high satisfaction survey, high approval rating, and good appreciation from the public or netizens make KDM overconfident, leading him to ignore ripples that should be listened to,’ he said.

With public satisfaction in KDM’s performance reaching 95.4 percent, Fazrul believes the Governor needs to maintain consistency, while continuing to listen to public input and remain responsive. ‘Keep looking at and listening to the small voices, even though they may not always align with his political path,’ he advised. Commenting on KDM’s effective use of social media, Fazrul explained that algorithmic politics has proven powerful in locking in voter loyalty. However, this strategy is a double-edged sword. While it strongly binds voter loyalty as long as positive content is displayed, if negative information goes viral, the algorithm will shift towards that negative information. ‘This could have a negative impact on future popularity and electability,’ he said. Fazrul emphasised the importance of political education for the public, so they can filter information and understand whether content is based on facts, deliberately designed to sway opinion, or purely for entertainment.