PAPUA – The governor election (Pilgub) in the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada is a meaningful democratic party in Papua. Because, there are several provinces that hold Pilgub in the easternmost province of Indonesia. Starting from Main Papua, Mountainous Papua, Central Papua, to South Papua.
Ahead of the registration day a number of local figures continue to organize forces in order to get support from political parties (parpol) that have seats in the local provincial DPRD.
Political Researcher and Analyst and Paramadina University Herdi Sahrasad said that the political configuration of each province in Papua has its own characteristics. For the Papua Mountains Gubernatorial Election, Gerindra’s support for Governor John Tabo is considered to strengthen the solidity of the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM) and has the potential to win.
“Golkar DPP Secretary General Dereck Loupatty’s invitation to Gerindra to join in supporting John Tabo needs to be scrutinized,” Herdi told reporters in Jakarta.
For information, the political map in the Papua Mountains Pilgub is a competition between John Tabo and Befa Yigibalom. John Tabo has confirmed that his deputy is Ones Pahabol. He also claims to have pocketed recommendations from Golkar and the Democrats. Meanwhile, Befa Yigibalom pocketed recommendations from Nasdem, PKS, and Perindo.
According to Herdi, the solid strength of KIM has an effect on John Tabo. Because, he is known as a figure who worked hard to win Prabowo-Gibran in the 2024 presidential election. At that time John Tabo was the head of the Prabowo-Gibran winning team in the Papua Mountains.
Herdi emphasized that in political science literature the terms “quid pro quo” and “Reciprocal Support” are known. Both terms describe the concept of reciprocity in politics. Support given at one time deserves to be reciprocated with equal support at another time.
Among all the candidates, only Tabo has historical and emotional closeness to Prabowo as president-elect. This closeness will facilitate the translation of Prabowo’s national policies in the Papua Mountain Province, ensuring synergy between the central and local governments.
On the same occasion, Herdi analyzed the possibility that Befa Yigibalom would change his political strategy. There is potential for him to change the deputy candidate to be more competitive.
Candidate replacement in practical politics is a commonly used strategy to increase the chances of victory, respond to changing circumstances, or address emerging issues. The process involves a thorough assessment and internal evaluation.
Befa’s new strategy is very reasonable, considering that Natan Bahabol, who was predicted to be his deputy, is considered not to contribute significantly electorally. This is because his stature is still below Ones Pahabol.
In addition, there was resistance from a number of Gerindra cadres if Natan became Befa’s deputy. Although Natan is a Gerindra cadre, resistance to him within Gerindra is very strong if he is partnered with Befa, even down to the elite level.
This was due to the fierce competition in the last presidential election where Befa was in the 01 camp against John Tabo and Gerindra cadres in the 02 camp. “Reportedly Befa will partner Usman Wanimbo, a former two-term Tolikara Regent as a Deputy Governor Candidate,” Herdi explained.