Bahlil Lahadalia Extends Invitation to Deputy Governor Dardak

In a surprising turn of events at the East Java Golkar Musda XI, Golkar Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia playfully suggested that East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak consider joining the Golkar Party. The overture was made in jest, seemingly directed at Dardak’s potential dissatisfaction within the Democratic Party, where he currently serves as the Chairperson of the East Java Democratic DPD.

Pak Deputy Governor (Emil), if at home your father is now uncomfortable, Banyan (the Golkar symbol) is ready to make your father, so that it can still be safe.

Lahadalia’s comment, delivered with a touch of humor, underscores the ongoing political dynamics within East Java and the broader Indonesian political landscape. As of 2024, Golkar remains a significant player, consistently vying for influence in regional and national elections.

Strategic Consolidation Efforts Underway

Beyond the lighthearted invitation, the East Java Golkar Musda XI served as a crucial platform for strategic consolidation. Lahadalia emphasized the importance of unifying party ranks at all levels, from sub-district dpds to village-level organizations.

We make this Musda Forum as a momentum to consolidate in total, both the sub -district level DPD and the village level. Because we have the view that no parties survive and are able to add seats if the consolidation is not carried out, and this is part of the consolidation.

This focus on consolidation reflects a broader trend in Indonesian politics, where parties recognize the necessity of grassroots mobilization to secure electoral success. Recent data indicates that parties with strong local networks consistently outperform those with a top-down approach.

Praise for Past Performance and Future Expectations

Lahadalia also lauded the performance of East Java Golkar under the leadership of Sarmuji, the current Secretary General of the Golkar DPP. He credited Sarmuji’s leadership for the party’s gains in recent legislative elections.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources expressed his hope that the East Java Golkar Musda would produce a capable leader to succeed Sarmuji, setting the stage for continued success in future elections. The upcoming regional elections in 2026 will be a key test of the party’s consolidated strength and strategic direction.