Bima Arya and Ono Surono, Strong Candidates to Companion Ridwan Kamil in West Java

Bima Arya Sugiarto and Ono Surono are strong candidates to accompany incumbent candidate Ridwan Kamil in the 2024 West Java gubernatorial election.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Prospective presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo (center) attended along with the Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's DPP Maritime Affairs Rokhmin Dahuri (left) and the Chairman of the West Java PDI-P Regional Leadership Council Ono Surono at Bima Stadium, Cirebon City, on Saturday (3/6/2023).

BANDUNG, KOMPAS — The West Java Golkar Party Regional Leadership Council has appointed Ridwan Kamil as the sole candidate for governor of West Java. From the analysis of political observers, the names of the former Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya Sugiarto and the Chairman of the DPD PDI Perjuangan West Java Ono Surono emerged who have the potential to accompany Ridwan Kamil or Kang Emil as deputy governor.

According to a political observer from Parahyangan University, Pius Sugeng Prasetyo, in Bandung, on Thursday (9/5/2024), Kang Emil as the incumbent candidate has a great chance of winning his second victory in the 2024-2029 West Java gubernatorial election. Therefore, Kang Emil only needs to determine a competent and experienced deputy governor candidate to accompany him.

Pius stated that there are two candidates whose competencies are most adequate to accompany Ridwan Kamil. They are both former mayors of Bogor, Bima Arya Sugiarto, who served for two terms, and the Chairman of the West Java PDI Perjuangan Regional Leadership Council, Ono Surono.

Bima Arya is considered by Pius to have a wealth of experience, both in the field of community organization, as an academic, and in government. Bima, who is also a politician from the National Mandate Party, was once the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of All Indonesian City Governments (Apeksi) from 2021 to 2023.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

The Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Municipalities (Apeksi) for the 2021-2023 period, Bima Arya Sugiarto, delivered a speech at the Extraordinary National Congress (Munaslub) event in Bogor City, West Java, on Friday (15/12/2023).

"Bima also has social capital, which is already known by the people of Bogor City and nationally recognized. He was able to serve as the Mayor of Bogor for two terms, proving the high level of trust the community has in his performance," said Pius.

Also read: Ridwan Kamil's Magnetism and the Fight for the West Java One Seat

Pius believes that the second figure, Ono Surono, also has a significant influence among the community in West Java. Ono was able to make it to the Senayan as a member of the Indonesian Parliament from region XII of West Java, which includes the City of Cirebon, Cirebon Regency, and Indramayu Regency.

In the 2024 Legislative Election, Ono received the highest votes in Dapil XII, which amounted to 152,373 votes. Previously, Ono also served as a member of the Indramayu Regional House of Representatives from 2004-2009, and then sat in the DPR RI seat for Dapil VIII in 2019-2024.

"Ono has been elected as a representative of the people in the north coast region of West Java for decades. His experience and level of election are strong assets for him to become a candidate for vice governor alongside Emil," said Pius.

KOMPAS/HENDRICUS ARGA

Kompas interview with Ridwan Kamil in the Election Strategy talkshow event, at Gedung Sate, Tuesday (27/06/23).

The Chairman of the Golkar Party in West Java, Tubagus Ace Hasan Syadzily, said that they are currently selecting a companion for Emil as a potential Deputy Governor of West Java. The figures of Bima Arya and Ono Surono are also being considered by Golkar as potential candidates for the Deputy Governor of West Java.

He revealed that there were a number of conditions set by Golkar for the deputy governor candidate, including having strong chemistry or a sense of mutual understanding and smooth communication with Emil, being able to work together for five years and being in line with the party's ideology.

"We are ready to collaborate with all parties who want to contribute to West Java. The name of Bima Arya is worth considering, while I have met Ono on Sunday (5/5/2024) in Bandung to build political communication," said Ace.

Also read: Declaration at Gedung Sate, Bima Arya Heats Up Competition for West Java Governor Candidate

He added that Golkar has opened communication with the leaders of other political parties' Regional Legislative Councils in West Java. Communication efforts are being made to discuss potential vice governor candidates who can accompany Emil in his five-year leadership term. This also fulfills the quota requirement for seats in the West Java Regional Legislative Council to nominate a gubernatorial candidate.

It is known that Golkar won 19 seats in the 2024 West Java Election. 24 seats out of a total of 120 seats are needed in the West Java DPRD for political parties wishing to nominate candidates for governor in this year's regional elections.