Indonesian Politician Ganjar Pranowo: A Rising Figure in the Presidential Race
Indonesian politician Ganjar Pranowo has paved his way to success through his strong leadership qualities and dedication to political activism. At the age of 36, he became a member of the central parliament and later won the position of Governor of Central Java for two consecutive terms. He has now entered the presidential race in 2024 with the support of the National Struggle Party and in alliance with four other parties, holding the position as the third candidate for the presidency.
Early Life and Background
Ganjar Pranowo was born on October 28, 1968, on the slopes of Mount Lawu in Karanganjar, Central Java, as the fifth of six children. Initially named Sunggowo by his parents, meaning “reward after hardships and sorrow,” he was later renamed Pranowo when he started school.
Upon nearing his graduation from high school in 1980, his father retired from the police service, leading his mother to open a small grocery store at home to secure another source of income. This prompted Ganjar to sell gasoline bottles by the roadside to make ends meet.
In 1999, he married his university colleague, Setiyati Supriyanti, with whom he has one son.
Academic Qualifications
Ganjar attended the prestigious Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta and graduated from the Faculty of Law in 1995. However, he had to pause his studies for two consecutive semesters due to his family’s inability to pay the tuition fees.
Subsequently, while actively involved in parliamentary politics, Ganjar pursued a Master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Indonesia in 2009, finally completing it in 2013 due to his party commitments.
Practical Experience
After graduation, Ganjar moved to Jakarta to work in the oil and gas sector, serving as a consultant for human resource development. During his tenure as the Governor of Central Java, he initiated programs to enhance the livelihoods of farmers by reducing the annual interest rates on small and medium-sized project loans. In 2015, the Central Anti-Corruption Commission awarded the government of Central Java, led by Ganjar, for its efforts in combating corruption and bribery.
Known for using Twitter to engage with the public, Ganjar welcomed citizens’ feedback and criticisms of his policies, responding promptly and addressing their concerns.
Political Journey
Ganjar’s interest in politics sparked when he joined the Indonesian National Student Movement during his university days in the early 1990s. His advocacy for democracy against President Suharto’s regime led him to become a strong supporter of the Indonesian Democratic Party, the main opposition party to Suharto.
Following Suharto’s regime collapse in 1998 and the organization of the first democratic elections in the new system, Ganjar ran as a candidate from the National Struggle Party in the 2004 elections. Although he lost, Megawati Sukarnoputri appointed him as a Central Java parliament member, replacing a party member appointed as the Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea.
He contested in the 2009 parliamentary elections and emerged victorious for Central Java until 2013 when he ran for the Governor position of his hometown Central Java. His popularity built during his tenure in the central parliament secured his re-election as the Governor from 2018 to 2023.
Internationally, Ganjar responded to significant public pressure to disallow the participation of the Israeli youth football team in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Central Java, leading to FIFA revoking Indonesia’s hosting rights.
With the end of his decade-long gubernatorial term and growing speculations of his presidential candidacy, Ganjar, despite his graying hair, maintains a youthful appearance and resonates with the younger demographic through his musical interests. Consequently, Megawati selected Ganjar as the presidential candidate for the National Struggle Party, aligning with four political parties.
Highly popular among the youth, Ganjar stands out as a promising candidate for the presidency in the 2024 elections, with his achievements and leadership acumen making him a notable figure in Indonesian politics.
