Indonesia
The mayoral election in Malang is set to take place in the Upcoming months. Banners promoting potential candidates for mayor and deputy mayor have begun appearing along major roads as well as in residential neighborhoods across the city.
Candidates from diverse professional and political backgrounds are stepping forward, introducing themselves to Malang residents and seeking public support.
Slamet Muchsin, head of Master’s Program in Public Administration at Universitas Islam Malang, stated that the city’s future leader must embrace Malang’s dual identity as both an education hub and a tourism destination. “The leader of Malang must be able to develop these two key sectors,” he explained.
Below are several figures who have declared themselves as potential candidates for deputy mayor of Malang. The following data were compiled from banner surveys observed across various roads throughout the city.
1. Fairouz Huda
Fairouz Huda is an activist affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama. His organizational involvement includes Pergerakan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia, Gerakan Pemuda Ansor, and Ikatan Sarjana Nahdlatul Ulama. Promoting the slogan “Getnowess!!”, he is popularly known as Kak Fai among his supporters.
2. Sam Fuad
Ahmad Fuad Rahman, widely known as Sam Fuad, is a politician from Partai Keadilan Sejahtera representing the Lowokwaru electoral district. The member of the Malang City Regional House of Representatives for the 2019–2024 term has placed numerous banners across the city bearing the message “Sam Fuad for Malang.”
3. Ardantya Syahreza
Ardantya Syahreza is a cadre of Partai Solidaritas Indonesia who campaigns under the tagline “Melok Mas’e.” Although his banners present him as a potential candidate for mayor, Syahreza has also expressed openness to running as a deputy mayoral candidate.
4. Imam Supandi
Imam Supandi is a relatively new figure in the race but among the most active in promoting his candidacy through banners. Recruitment of volunteers began as early as November 2023, largely driven through self-promotion. Supandi has also actively registered with several political parties in pursuit of official endorsements.
5. Ahmad Fajar Ridwan Hisjam
Ahmad Fajar Ridwan Hisjam is a young politician from Golkar Party and the son of Ridwan Hisyam. Although he has not formally declared his candidacy in the Malang mayoral election, the widespread presence of his promotional banners signals a possible entry into the political contest.
6. Dwi Hari Cahyono
Dwi Hari Cahyono, commonly known as Mas Dwi, is a cadre of the Partai Keadilan Sejahtera and currently serves as a member of the East Java Regional House of Representatives.
7. Asmualik
Asmualik is a member of the Malang City Regional House of Representatives from the PKS faction representing the Blimbing electoral district. He currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Malang City Council and promotes the tagline “Bolo Ewed.”
8. Rizki Boncel
Rizki Boncel is the only deputy mayoral candidate who has officially registered with the General Elections Commission in Malang. He is running alongside Sam HC – Heri Cahyono and previously gained experience during the 2018 Malang regency regional election.
Two other independent candidates, Briyan Cahya Saputra and Ahmad Yani, failed to pass the administrative verification process conducted by Malang City Election Commission.
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Several other prominent figures are also considered potential contenders in the mayoral race, including Abah Anton, Sofyan Edi Jarwoko, and Wahyu Hidayat, the current acting mayor of Malang. Among them, Abah Anton has been the most visible through the extensive placement of campaign banners.
Reports from several media outlets indicate that Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle is also considering several of its cadres to compete in the Malang mayoral election. Potential names include Dewanti Rumpoko, Krisdayanti, Sri Untari, Sri Rahayu, and Ahmad Wanedi.
