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All-women contest in East Java as PKB-NU rift widens
The candidacies of Khofifah, Risma and Luluk were hailed as “historic progress” in Indonesia’s patriarchal society and an indication that the nation is now more open to women occupying leadership roles in local government.
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Head of the East Java chapter of the General Elections Commission (KPU) Aang Kunaifi (right) receives the registration documents for governor and deputy governor candidates Luluk Nur Hamidah (second from left) and Lukmanul Khakim (second right). They were accompanied by the secretary of the East Java chapter of the National Awakening Party (PKB ) Anik Maslachah (left) to register at the East Java's KPU office, in Surabaya, East Java, on August 29, 2024. (Antara/Rizal Hanafi)
East Java is set to see a historic race with three women vying for the governor’s post and competing to win the support of followers of the influential Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), who mostly reside in the region.
The three female candidates who have registered their candidacies with the local General Elections Commission (KPU) for the upcoming East Java race are former East Java governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Social Affairs Minister Tri “Risma” Rismaharini and lawmaker Luluk Nur Hamida.
East Java is widely seen as the traditional base of NU, the country’s largest Islamic group, and experts say that figures affiliated with the group are likely to have a better chance at winning the election in the province.
First to register with the KPU on Wednesday was Khofifah and running mate Emil Dardak, who have the backing of a broad coalition of 15 political parties, mostly affiliated with president-elect Prabowo Subianto.
An early frontrunner in opinion polls, Khofifah, whose term ended last February, is widely seen as an influential figure in the province. She is the chairwoman of NU’s women's wing Muslimat, whose network comprises over 30 million members.
"We hope that in the next five years we will be able to reinforce the prosperity, justice and the excellent quality of East Java's human resources to welcome the Golden Indonesia [vision] of 2045," Khofifah said after registering her candidacy.
Read also: KIM alliance splinters as candidate registration closes
