Taufan Pawe's Meeting with Golkar Chairman Bahlil Sparks Political Speculation Ahead of South Sulawesi Regional Congress
JAKARTA — A meeting between Taufan Pawe (TP) and Investment Minister/BKPM Head and Golkar Party Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia has triggered political speculation ahead of the Golkar Party's South Sulawesi Regional Congress (Musda).
TP was known to have visited Bahlil's private residence on Jalan Denpasar Raya, Jakarta, on Wednesday evening (2/7/2025). On the same day, senior Golkar figure Nurdin Halid (NH) also met with Bahlil, but at a different location — the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister's office on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan.
The presence of two prominent South Sulawesi Golkar figures on the same day, albeit at separate locations, has given rise to political interpretations within the party's internal circles.
Political analyst from Profetik Institute, Asratillah, assessed that the meeting between TP and Bahlil could be interpreted from three perspectives.
"Firstly, this could simply be coordination between a House of Representatives member and the party leadership, for instance discussing strategic parliamentary issues and how TP carries out his legislative function for the interests of Golkar's South Sulawesi constituents," he explained on Thursday (3/7/2025).
Asratillah continued that the meeting may also have been part of vertical communication within the party ahead of the Regional Congress. "This sort of thing is normal, especially as the congress draws closer and the dynamics around the chairmanship candidacy are heating up," he said.
Furthermore, Asratillah suggested it was possible that TP was seeking the blessing of the Golkar Chairman to strengthen his position. However, he emphasised that the congress process was still ongoing and the Golkar Central Executive Board (DPP) was not expected to issue an official stance in the near term.
"What matters most is how TP demonstrates his capacity to maintain Golkar's dominance as the winning party in South Sulawesi. All candidates must certainly prove their worthiness in the eyes of the DPP," he concluded.
TP was known to have visited Bahlil's private residence on Jalan Denpasar Raya, Jakarta, on Wednesday evening (2/7/2025). On the same day, senior Golkar figure Nurdin Halid (NH) also met with Bahlil, but at a different location — the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister's office on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan.
The presence of two prominent South Sulawesi Golkar figures on the same day, albeit at separate locations, has given rise to political interpretations within the party's internal circles.
Political analyst from Profetik Institute, Asratillah, assessed that the meeting between TP and Bahlil could be interpreted from three perspectives.
"Firstly, this could simply be coordination between a House of Representatives member and the party leadership, for instance discussing strategic parliamentary issues and how TP carries out his legislative function for the interests of Golkar's South Sulawesi constituents," he explained on Thursday (3/7/2025).
Asratillah continued that the meeting may also have been part of vertical communication within the party ahead of the Regional Congress. "This sort of thing is normal, especially as the congress draws closer and the dynamics around the chairmanship candidacy are heating up," he said.
Furthermore, Asratillah suggested it was possible that TP was seeking the blessing of the Golkar Chairman to strengthen his position. However, he emphasised that the congress process was still ongoing and the Golkar Central Executive Board (DPP) was not expected to issue an official stance in the near term.
"What matters most is how TP demonstrates his capacity to maintain Golkar's dominance as the winning party in South Sulawesi. All candidates must certainly prove their worthiness in the eyes of the DPP," he concluded.