Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin's Chances in the 2029 Presidential Race: Political Analyst Ray Rangkuti Weighs In
Jakarta, VIVA — Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin’s name has begun circulating in discussions surrounding the 2029 presidential candidate field. The emergence of the retired TNI officer is seen as introducing fresh dynamics into the national political landscape, although his prospects of being paired with President Prabowo Subianto are considered far from straightforward.
Political analyst Ray Rangkuti assessed that the shared military background of Sjafrie and Prabowo constitutes the primary factor diminishing the likelihood of the two being placed on the same ticket.
“Sjafrie’s entry into the 2029 presidential race is actually rather difficult to pair with Prabowo. It seems impossible for two TNI figures to be paired together,” said Ray when contacted by reporters on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
According to Ray, their similar backgrounds could provoke resistance among both political elites and the broader public. He views a ticket comprising two military figures as likely to be regarded as less than ideal.
Even if Sjafrie were to stand without being paired with Prabowo, the situation would remain far from simple. Ray pointed to the potential overlap in their voter bases.
“If he’s not with Prabowo, it would be like competing in a race that is essentially the same contest,” he said.
Ray also touched on the possibility of subjective dynamics emerging within elite political circles over the introduction of a new name into the presidential field.
“Prabowo could see this as an opportunity, or conversely, view it as a kind of threat,” he said.
Nevertheless, Ray considered the proliferation of names to be positive news for the public, as it broadens the political choices available to voters. He cited several other prominent figures in the 2029 field, including Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, Ridwan Kamil, Sandiaga Uno, Puan Maharani, and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono.
However, he emphasised that the principal challenge of the 2029 contest is not merely about presidential candidates, but rather about identifying a vice-presidential running mate.
“Our difficulty is: who will be the vice-president? Besides Prabowo, who?” he said.
Previously, a survey by the Indonesian Public Institute (IPI) also showed several new faces entering the radar of potential 2029 presidential candidates, including Sjafrie. IPI researcher Abdan Sakura noted that the emergence of new names is influenced by a number of indicators, ranging from leadership qualities and public standing to track record, media coverage, and integrity.