Last week’s announcement of Ridwan’s entry into Golkar, which was a few months in the making, had seen the two sides reaping the mutual benefits of their union, experts said. While the governor had gained access to Golkar’s well-oiled political machinery, the party had gained an ally with a reach that went beyond the confines of practical politics.

The self-made politician has made no qualms about using his clout to help elevate the party’s footing in next year’s race.

“I have 30 million followers, that’s already an asset. If I post about Golkar everyday or every other day, some [of my followers] will catch on,” Ridwan said on Wednesday, as quoted by Kompas.

An architect by trade, Ridwan made his foray into politics in 2013, when he won the mayoral race in Bandung, West Java’s provincial capital. Part of a younger, digital savvy generation of politicians, Ridwan’s lighthearted online persona has cemented his popularity among the Indonesian public.

In a sign of Golkar’s confidence in him, Ridwan has been immediately tapped as deputy chairman and as cochair of the election committee (Bappilu), two strategic internal positions.

“Obviously Pak [Mr.] Emil will have a tough task ahead of him: to rally voters and help win the general election,” Golkar chairman Airlangga Hartarto said during the reveal, referring to Ridwan by his nickname among supporters.

Popular

Jakarta library reopens to packed rooms, long queues

Why EV makers choose Vietnam, not nickel-rich Indonesia

Indonesia opts against visa fee hike to spur tourism