By: Tyas Permata Wiyana )*
Indonesia will soon be holding general elections to elect members of the legislature and presidential elections which will take place simultaneously. Of course, not a few people are starting to guess who will run for president (Capres).
One of the presidential candidates who has been predicted to advance in the 2023 presidential election is Ganjar Pranowo who is currently still serving as Governor of Central Java (Central Java). Ganjar himself is a figure close to the community and has earned a place in the hearts of the people.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) considers that Ganjar is an ideological leader and close to the people. His figure always goes down to greet people directly.
According to Jokowi, democratic succession to the national leadership is a must according to the law. Therefore, he asked that the new leader continue the nation’s vision and flagship program.
In addition, tolerance and togetherness must also be the social foundation of the Indonesian nation. Indonesia-centric development must be the spirit of the national development program.
Ahead of the Eid al-Fitr 1444 H celebration, Ganjar conducted market operations while monitoring prices of basic necessities ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1444 H.
During the market operation, Ganjar heard firsthand the complaints from the traders that the commodity price of garlic began to rise. Before Ramadan the price of garlic was at Rp. 28,000 per Kg, then in the second week of Ramadan the price of garlic reaches IDR 31,000 per Kg.
Ganjar admitted that the market operation he was carrying out was an attempt by the Central Java Provincial Government to stabilize the price of basic commodities ahead of Eid.
Ganjar always tries to get to know people’s problems up close, so his approach to the community is a plus point for him.
Not only that, Ganjar has also won a place in the hearts of the people, one proof of which is the creation of a song by a street musician from Yogyakarta, Sambi Bagaskara, who composed four songs for Ganjar. The song was created after Megawati Soekarno Putri decided to carry Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate in the 2024 elections. The
four songs are titled Ganjar Banteng Nusantara, Ganjar the idol, Come on Kawan and 1-2-3. Sambi admits that he is actually a theater artist, but he is interested in composing a song for Mr. Ganjar because he believes that Ganjar is worthy of leading the Indonesian people to become more advanced and prosperous.
Sambi said that Ganjar was a figure idolized by many people. However, Ganjar is not arrogant and his figure is also polite.
Sambi explained that the figure of Ganjar was indeed a mighty bull like his song entitled Bull of the Archipelago. There is also a song called Ganjar Sang Idola, because he is a figure idolized by many people, but Ganjar himself does not feel that he has the upper hand.
Previously, hundreds of sugar cane farmers who were members of the Sugar Cane Farmers (Petebu) supported Ganjar Pranowo to run for the 2024 presidential election. The support was in the form of a declaration made in Nglandung Village, Geger District, Madiun Regency, East Java.
The chairman of Petebu Jatim, Suroto, said that Ganjar was a firm figure and cared for young people, including sugar cane farmers.
This support was given because Ganjar is considered to have programs that are in line with the Petebu in Madiun, one of which is the acceleration of national sugar self-sufficiency.
Not only that, during Ganjar’s tenure as Governor of Central Java, he has initiated a number of food storage movements, mentoring and access to capital for MSMEs.
Suroto hopes that through this support, Indonesia can achieve self-sufficiency in sugar by revitalizing and modernizing sugar factories in the country. Suroto also believes that Ganjar is the best leader to make this happen.
Meanwhile, from among the clergy, support for Ganjar is also quite widespread. Hundreds of Ulama in Jambi plan to hold a declaration of support for Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate for 2024.
One of the clerics, KH Abdul Satar Saleh or Buya Satar from Bangko said that the declaration was made as a form of effort to find better Indonesian leaders.
According to him, Ganjar is a familiar figure in society, especially the clergy. Moreover, the Governor of Central Java has a good track record and comes from a family of scholars.
Buya Satar hopes that the declaration of support for Ganjar from the ulema can make Indonesia a better country and give grace to its people.
Now that the community has formed Ganjar Volunteers which are spread throughout Indonesia, the group aims to succeed Ganjar who will advance to the 2024 Presidential Election.
The large number of volunteers and sympathizers from various groups who support Ganjar Pranowo is a clear manifestation that the figure of Ganjar has won a place in the hearts of the people.
)* The author is a contributor to Persada Institute
