Surakarta Golkar Party Cadres Want to Support Luthfi-Wihaji Duet in Central Java Gubernatorial Election

Surakarta Golkar Party cadres have opened their voices regarding the 2024 Central Java gubernatorial election. They want their party to support the Luthfi-Wihaji duet.

DOK HUMAS POLDA JATENG

The Central Java Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi, inspected the evidence in the yard of Batang Police Station, Central Java, on Tuesday (11/4/2023).

SURAKARTA, KOMPAS — Golkar Party cadres in the City of Surakarta, Central Java, want their party leadership to support the duet of the Regional Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi and former Batang Regent Wihaji. The cadres consider these two figures to be able to complement each other when they later lead the province.

"We really hope that Mr. Wihaji will emerge as a regional leader in Central Java. At the moment, we see that there is compatibility with Mr. (Ahmad) Luthfi," said the Secretary of the Regional Leadership Council (DPD) II of the Golkar Party in Surakarta City, Taufiqurrahman, during a meeting at the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) of Surakarta City on Monday (6/5/2024).

Until now, Luthfi is still serving active duty as the Chief of Central Java Regional Police. He has been in that position since 2020. Looking at his age, he will soon enter retirement age as he is already 58 years old.

Also read: Young Candidates Emerge in Central Java Gubernatorial Election

KRISTI DWI UTAMI

Regent of Batang Wihaji at a ceremony commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia at the Batang Regency Government Complex, Central Java, Monday (17/8/2020).

As he approaches retirement age, billboards featuring Luthfi's face are displayed in several areas in Central Java. The distribution of these billboards has been happening since last Idul Fitri. The message on the billboards relates to the safety message while driving and the police's commitment to ensuring the security of the region.

The appearance of many billboards is linked to Luthfi's desire to participate in the Central Java Governor Election (Pilgub). Moreover, the election period is close to Luthfi's retirement.

Prospective candidate and Luthfi's partner, Wihaji, is an internal cadre of the Golkar Party. He previously served as the Regent of Batang for one term, from 2017 to 2022. Currently, Wihaji is the Secretary of the Central Java Golkar Party.

Former regents and former police chiefs, if they are united, God willing, the security, comfort, and development in Central Java can increase.

KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

Secretary of the Golongan Karya Party's District Executive Board in Surakarta City, Taufiqurrahman, was interviewed by reporters at his office in the Surakarta City Council, Central Java, on Monday (6/5/2024).

With candidates with such a profile, according to Taufiqurrahman, Luthfi and Wihaji can complement each other if they really lead the region. He hopes that the region can continue to progress under the leadership of experienced figures such as the two mentioned.

"Former regent and former police chief, if paired, God willing, security, comfort, and development in Central Java can increase," said Taufiqurrahman.

However, Taufiqurrahman revealed that the appearance of the two figures from the party cadre has not been specifically discussed. The two figures are often discussed informally when they are talking about the gubernatorial election. The determination of the candidate who will be supported depends on the recommendation from the Central Leadership Board (DPP) of the Golkar Party.

Also read: Central Java gubernatorial election, Gus Yusuf explores coalition of a number of political parties

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo's poster colorized the closing of the Golkar Party's National Working Meeting at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Thursday (28/7/2016). In the event, the Golkar Party declared its support for Joko Widodo for the presidential election in 2019.

"Everything (depends on) the DPP. "However, the DPP will really pay attention to the aspirations of party cadres at the lower level," said Taufiqurrahman.

Previously, Secretary of DPD Partai Golkar Jateng, Juliyatmono, revealed that the gubernatorial election contest in Jateng is still quite dynamic. According to him, many capable candidates will emerge in the near future. He does not rule out the possibility of supporting a candidate outside of his party, such as Luthfi, to run as a candidate for governor.

"Everything is still being inventoried. There hasn't been a specific meeting regarding the selection of the governor. The Chief of Police also has a chance. And as for the party's recommendation, they can socialize it later. This is the time to socialize it with the community," said Juliyatmono.