Jakarta, IDN Times – Golkar Party Secretary-General Muhammad Sarmuji has confirmed that the party’s general chairman, Bahlil Lahadalia, will not pursue the 2029 presidential election (Pilpres). Instead, Bahlil has chosen to compete in the 2029 legislative election (Pileg). Sarmuji conveyed that Bahlil is resolute in his decision to seek a seat in Senayan, Indonesia’s national parliament, representing the Papua electoral district in the 2029 general election.
“As for whether anyone from Golkar is being pushed for the presidency? Our Chairman wants to run for a legislative seat; he has already declared that he will be a legislative candidate for 2029,” Sarmuji stated at the DPR Building in Jakarta on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Why Bahlil is Determined to Run for the 2029 Legislative Election from the Papua Constituency
Sarmuji further clarified that while Bahlil Lahadalia was born in Banda Neira, Central Maluku, the Golkar Party Chairman spent his formative years in Papua. This profound connection to the region is the primary motivation behind his firm commitment to contest the 2029 legislative election from the Papua constituency.
“Mr. Bahlil has already chosen his constituency, the Papua constituency. This is because Mr. Bahlil was raised in Papua. Although he was born in Banda, he grew up, and became an adult, in Papua,” Sarmuji explained, highlighting the chairman’s deep roots in the region.
Golkar’s Unwavering Support for Prabowo
During the discussion, Sarmuji also addressed the notion of President Prabowo Subianto potentially serving two terms. He emphatically reiterated the Golkar Party’s full commitment to ensuring the success of Prabowo’s administration. According to Sarmuji, one of Golkar’s key strategies is to guarantee the effective implementation of all programs and political pledges made by Prabowo during the 2024 general election. He believes that this dedication is crucial for Prabowo to earn even greater adoration and trust from the Indonesian people.
“If he is loved by the Indonesian people, then there is no other possibility than for us to support Mr. Prabowo as a presidential candidate again,” Sarmuji declared, underscoring the party’s long-term vision. He added that this commitment is integral to Golkar’s resolve to oversee the government’s operations, ensuring they are effective and deliver tangible benefits to society at large.
Bahlil’s Resolve to Boost Golkar’s Seats in the 2029 Legislative Election
Previously, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Golkar Party Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia expressed his readiness to run for parliament from the Papua constituency in the 2029 legislative election, with the clear objective of increasing the party’s seat count in Senayan. Bahlil Lahadalia affirmed this ambition following his attendance at the 3rd Kosgoro 1957 National Deliberation (Muspinas III) in Jakarta.
“I have already stated that in 2029, I will be a candidate for member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Papua constituency, which currently does not have a seat,” Bahlil stated, highlighting his personal challenge. Bahlil is determined to improve Golkar’s seat acquisition in the 2029 legislative election, emphasizing that if the party’s seats do not increase, his leadership would not represent a significant improvement over previous administrations.
In the 2024 legislative election, Golkar secured its place among the top three parties with the highest number of seats in parliament, ranking just behind PDIP. The party garnered an impressive 23,208,488 votes, translating to 102 seats. “Therefore, if our seat count does not rise, I honestly state that the management under my leadership will not be better than the past,” he concluded, setting a high bar for his tenure.
Summary
Golkar Party Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia has