Could Indonesia’s ‘content governor’ rival Prabowo for the presidency in 2029?
Por Anand Mathai — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Indonesia This Week in Asia Politics Could Indonesia’s ‘content governor’ rival Prabowo for the presidency in 2029?
Dedi Mulyadi’s blend of populist policies and social media savvy has made him one of Indonesia’s most talked-about politicians
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Anand Mathai Published: 1:00pm, 10 Oct 2026 Updated: 1:23pm, 10 Oct 2026
Dressed in his trademark white shirt and traditional Sundanese headcloth, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi stood near the barren slopes of Mount Wayang.
Announcing a new initiative to pay hundreds of local farmers to replant its forests and shield the region from flooding, he delivered a line perfectly pitched for the cameras tracking his every step.
“I am a leader who does not want obedience caused by poverty,” he declared on September 26. “I want obedience caused by prosperity.”
It is this blend of populist rhetoric, grass roots problem-solving and relentless social media promotion that has transformed the 55-year-old former motorcycle taxi driver into one of Indonesia ’s most talked-about politicians. Select Voice Select Speed 0.8x 0.9x 1.0x 1.1x 1.2x 1.5x 1.75x 00:00 00:00 1x AI-generated voice
