Ray Rangkuti: Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin Adds to List of Individual Presidential Candidates for 2029 Election

Jakarta — Political analyst Ray Rangkuti has assessed that Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s entry into the presidential candidate pool adds to a growing list of individual contenders for the 2029 presidential election. According to Rangkuti, this phenomenon is nothing new in Indonesian politics.

“There are increasing opportunities for individual figures to be nominated as national leaders. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s presence extends that list of individual presidential candidates — people who emerge through their own track record, without a party behind them,” Rangkuti told the media on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

Rangkuti stressed that this trend is well established. He pointed to regional elections, where individual candidates have frequently emerged and many have gone on to successfully become regional heads.

“Some of them are ultimately nominated by parties. But they build their image through their own individual acceleration. Correspondingly, party figures are becoming less appealing,” Rangkuti said.

Rangkuti also noted that Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s emergence adds another rival for Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, whose position is increasingly being challenged by other figures.

“Even though his name still sits atop the rankings as the vice-presidential candidate with the highest electability, the arrival of new individuals adds to the number of candidates worthy of consideration by Prabowo. And that, in itself, squeezes Gibran’s chances,” he explained.

However, Rangkuti said Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s candidacy could be both an opportunity and a source of discomfort for President Prabowo Subianto. A pairing with Prabowo would face obstacles, as it would combine two retired military officers whilst lacking coalition party support.

“This is where the problem lies. It could be an opportunity but could simultaneously cause Prabowo discomfort. If paired with Prabowo, the downside is the military background of both and the lack of a party coalition. But if not paired with Prabowo, Prabowo would naturally narrow Sjafrie’s chances of advancing. This could be a blessing but equally a factor that divides Prabowo and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin,” Rangkuti concluded.

Previously, the latest survey by the Indonesian Public Institute (IPI) showed a number of new faces entering the 2029 presidential candidate pool, including Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, several governors, and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.

“Based on our latest survey results, a number of new faces have entered the 2029 presidential candidate pool, such as Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa,” said IPI researcher Abdan Sakura.