Two Candidates Vie for Golkar West Java Chair Position
The Golkar Party’s West Java branch is holding a democratic festival in early April 2026. Two strong names will compete for the position of Chair of the West Java Golkar DPD in the regional congress.
The two candidates are RI DPR member Daniel Mutaqien Syafiuddin and West Java DPRD member Ahmad Hidayat, who is also the Chair of AMPI West Java.
Several sources contacted on Monday (30/3) stated that the battle for support will be fierce. The contest is predicted to be tight.
Ahmad Hidayat claims to have secured majority support from the District and City Leadership Councils (DPD).
Information gathered indicates that 19 out of 27 DPDs have declared support for Ahmad Hidayat. Only eight DPDs remain undecided.
This gap is seen as a strategic opportunity for Daniel Mutaqien Syafiuddin to rally strength. However, the internal party political dynamics remain very fluid.
Several observers assess that the support map could change drastically until the day of the congress.
Two leadership styles, two power bases
The two candidates have different backgrounds and power bases. This adds to the appeal of who will continue the leadership baton of Golkar in West Java.
Ahmad Hidayat is an internal cadre with a structural base known as a cadre who grew from the party structure in the regions. In addition to being active in the West Java DPRD, he also holds important roles in the party’s wing organisations.
Ahmad Hidayat has a long track record. He is a member of the West Java DPRD (2019–2024, 2024–2029), member of Commission IV and the Budget Agency, Deputy Chair of the Golkar Faction in the West Java DPRD, Chair of the West Java AMPI DPD, and Chair of the Election Victory for the Jabar II Electoral District (Bandung Regency).
Ahmad’s strength lies in his structural network and closeness to the district/city DPDs.
Meanwhile, Daniel Mutaqien Syafiuddin is a national politician with extensive networks. He brings long experience at the national level.
Daniel is known to have broad networks, both in the political world and youth organisations and business.
Currently, he is an RI DPR member (2014–2019, 2019–2020, 2024–present), former West Java DPRD member (2009–2014), Chair of Golkar Indramayu DPD II (2010–2015), DPP Golkar Executive (2017–2019), Chair of Depinas SOKSI, and active in HIPMI and various youth organisations.
National experience and organisational networks become Daniel’s main assets in this contest.
The congress becomes the determinant of Golkar West Java’s direction
This Golkar West Java congress is not just a leadership change, but also an important momentum in determining the party’s political direction ahead of upcoming political contests. The battle between regional structural forces and national networks is expected to be the main colour in the congress dynamics.
With time drawing closer, consolidation and political manoeuvres are certain to intensify. Who emerges as the winner still very much depends on the solidity of support at the DPD level.
The 2026 Golkar West Java congress is predicted to be one of the most crucial arenas in determining the party’s future at the provincial level. The contest between two figures with different strengths opens opportunities for new dynamics within Golkar.