4-9-2023 (JAKARTA) After a decade as governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo is set to conclude his tenure on Tuesday (Sep 5), marking the end of his influential role in one of Indonesia’s most populous provinces. As he prepares to run for the presidency, analysts have expressed mixed opinions about his performance and stressed the need for improvement if he aims to become the country’s leader.
At 54 years old, Pranowo has served two terms as the governor of Central Java, home to a population of 35 million people. The forthcoming registration for the presidency in October will provide him with the opportunity to officially declare his candidacy. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), to which Pranowo belongs, has already endorsed him as their presidential candidate in April.
However, analysts interviewed by CNA hold differing views on Pranowo’s governance of Central Java, which may serve as an indicator of his potential as the country’s president.
Assessing the performance of a regional leader is a challenging task, according to Wawan Mas’udi, a social and politics lecturer based in Yogyakarta. He emphasized that a governor occupies a unique position, tasked with bridging the demands and needs of both the central government and local authorities. Meanwhile, Ah Maftuchan, a public policy expert based in Jakarta, praised Pranowo’s tenure, whereas Nur Hidayat Sardini, a social and politics lecturer in Semarang, expressed disappointment in the governor’s performance.
All analysts agree that Pranowo exhibits an open communication style and approachability, traits that resonate with the public. However, they contend that these qualities alone may not be sufficient to govern a nation of 270 million people and manage Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Pranowo’s leadership style revolves around direct engagement with the people, according to Mas’udi. He actively communicates with citizens, striving to minimize bureaucratic hurdles and foster communication between local authorities. This approach has resulted in fewer conflicts between the governor, regents, and mayors compared to his predecessor, Bibit Waluyo, who clashed with then-Solo mayor Joko Widodo (the current president) over a mall construction project.
While Pranowo’s communicative efforts have received acclaim, Sardini remains unimpressed, suggesting that there have been no significant breakthroughs during his tenure. Sardini cites ongoing issues such as land subsidence and regular flooding in the northern part of Central Java, which have not been effectively addressed despite the construction of embankments. Sardini also points to unresolved controversies surrounding andesite mining in Wadas and the operations of cement firm PT Semen Indonesia in Rembang. These cases have sparked opposition from locals due to environmental concerns and potential threats to their livelihoods.
To evaluate Pranowo’s performance, Maftuchan focuses on poverty eradication efforts. According to official statistics, Central Java’s monetary poverty rate decreased from around 14.5% when Pranowo assumed office in 2013 to approximately 10.7% at present. However, Maftuchan considers this progress to be moderate, noting that eradicating extreme poverty necessitates specific strategies beyond what was implemented in the province.
Despite Pranowo’s achievements in healthcare digitization and infrastructure development, as recognized through numerous awards, issues such as mining disputes and climate change impact mitigation pose challenges that require effective communication and resolution.
Mas’udi believes that if Pranowo becomes Indonesia’s next president, climate change will be a significant issue he must address. While Pranowo is well-versed in handling domestic concerns like infrastructure and poverty, his experience in international politics, regional dynamics, and bilateral relations remains limited compared to other presidential hopefuls.
Currently, there are three main contenders for the presidency: Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan (former Jakarta governor), and Prabowo Subianto (Defence Minister). Pranowo and Subianto generally lead in the polls, while Baswedan consistently trails behind. Pranowo’s international presence and interests are perceived to be less prominent compared to his rivals.
As the challenges of climate change and global disruptions persist, along with the need to build international relations, Pranowo’s competence in international and regional politics will be scrutinized, posing a significant test and a primary challenge for his potential presidency.
