The emergence of female regional head candidates shows that women are no longer just an accessory in the 2024 regional elections, especially in South Sulawesi. These regional head candidates appeared at all levels of regional head elections which have now entered the campaign period.
For example, in the election for Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Makassar, there were three female candidates who were ready to fight. This condition is considered rare, in fact this is the first time it has occurred in the Makassar Pilkada. Apart from that, in other districts, quite a few female figures have also emerged as candidates, both as regional head and deputy candidates.
In total, there are 20 female figures who are running in the regional election battle arena in South Sulawesi 2024 out of 71 candidate pairs. This number has more than doubled compared to the previous regional elections in South Sulawesi. At that time, of the 33 pairs of candidates, there were only seven female figures.
The names of these advanced female figures are actually no longer foreign to the local community in South Sulawesi. For example, Fatmawati Rusdi, who is now running as Deputy Governor of South Sulawesi accompanying the incumbent Andi Sudirman Sulaiman.
Previously, the NasDem Party cadre was the Deputy Mayor of Makassar who accompanied Mohammad Ramdhan ‘Danny’ Pomanto, who is now his opponent in the South Sulawesi gubernatorial election. In fact, Fatma was an elected DPR RI legislative candidate, but chose to resign to fight in the South Sulawesi gubernatorial election.
According to him, the female population in South Sulawesi is very high. From the total number of Permanent Voter Lists (DPT) in South Sulawesi in the 2024 Pilkada, there are more women than men, so there must be special attention and support for women.
“The role and empowerment of women must be increased. And this regional head election must be a space for women to unite, as well as an opportunity to make history that women can also become leaders. In South Sulawesi there has never been a female candidate competing as regional head or deputy head. This is history,” said Fatma.
In fact, from a survey conducted by the Indonesian Political Indicators survey institute on September 26-October 3 2024, the Executive Director of Indonesian Political Indicators, Burhanuddin Mutadi, said that the survey captured tendencies in attitudes and behavior of voters in South Sulawesi, and factors related to choices, both perspectives gender, age, education level, worker, income, religious and ethnic preferences, mass organization affiliation, and others.
As a result, the electability of Andi Sudirman Sulaiman, who was accompanied by Fatmawati, reached 63.1%. Even in surveys related to top of mind, Fatma is still ahead of other deputy governor candidates.
Seeing this phenomenon, Deputy Rector III of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) Makassar, Nur Fadhila, who is also an activist and observer of women and children in South Sulawesi, explained that women’s involvement in regional election contestations is increasing because society is getting smarter, both in terms of voters and in terms of politicians. Woman.
“Women have been given a quota by law, and they should make good use of it. “Because 10 years ago, conditions like this had not yet been formed, because they were still in the development stage,” explained Nur Fadhilah
He also believes that the emergence of these female figures is the result of their own struggle. “These advanced women are quite intelligent, both in terms of political knowledge, education and experience, because on average they are already involved in political parties,” he added.
Fadhilah emphasized that support for the emergence of female figures in the regional elections must be given properly. This support does not mean that women have to choose women, but rather that society must understand that the quality of women in South Sulawesi is beyond doubt.
“They are already that advanced and well established politically and economically,” he said, remembering that women require large costs, especially in the current election.
Fadhilah also believes that currently women’s involvement in the Pilkada arena is no longer just a complement, but as a main player. This moment is an opportunity for women to prove themselves. “There is no longer a need to take action, and women no longer need to ask for quotas. “It’s time for women to have the same level in leading a region,” stressed Fadhilah.
He believes that women who take part in regional elections, especially in South Sulawesi, can also compete with male contestants. “The question of whether they are appointed as regional heads or deputies is just a matter of agreement. “It doesn’t matter if female contestants occupy deputy positions,” he said.
Fadhilah believes that one day more women will dare to come forward, provided they are ready for everything needed to become candidates for regent or governor.
One of the candidates for Deputy Mayor of Makassar, Aliyah Mustika, admitted that if it were no longer true, women should only be an accessory in regional elections, as well as in other political activities. “Women always have an important role wherever they are. Even in the family, women are the first education for their children. Women are always the ones who decide,” he admitted.
There are also female candidates who will compete in the regional elections in South Sulawesi. Apart from Fatmawati Rusdi, there are three in the Makassar Pilwalkot, namely Indira Yusuf Ismail, Candidate for Mayor of Makassar and wife of the Mayor of Makassar for two terms, Moh Ramdhan Pomanto. Then Rezki Mulfiati Luthfi, Srikandi NasDem paired with Andi Seto Gadhista Asapa. As well as Aliyah Mustika Ilham, a Democratic politician and wife of the former Mayor of Makassar Ilham Arief Sirajuddin, paired with Munafri Arifuddin.
In Barru Regency, two female figures are running for regent, namely Andi Ina Kartika Sari, former Chair of the South Sulawesi DPRD, paired with Abustan. And Ulfah Nurul Huda Suardi, wife of the current Barru Regent Suardi Saleh, is paired with Mudassir. Then at the Parepare Pilwalkot, there was Erna Rasyid Taufan, wife of the Mayor of Parepare Taufan Pawe, who was previously also paired with Rahmat SA. In Sidrap, there was Nur Kanaah, a bureaucrat and female activist who was asked by South Sulawesi NasDem Secretary Syaharuddin Alrif to accompany her.
Then in the Pinrang regional elections there was a female politician, Andi Hastri Wello, who accompanied Usman Marham. Then in Sinjai there is Andi Kartini Ottong, who previously served as Deputy Regent of Sinjai, now with Muzakkir, being challenged by Ratnawati Arif, a former Sinjai bureaucrat who is running in pairs with Andi Mahyanto Mazda. As well as Nursanti, a NasDem businessman and politician who is paired with Lukman.
In the Soppeng Regional Election, there was the Chancellor of Lamappapoleonro University, Andi Adawiyah, who was in a package with Andi Mapparemma. Not to be left behind in East Luwu, there is also Puspawatu Husler, wife of the late East Luwu Regent Thoriq Husler. Puspa was appointed as a representative by Irwan Bachri Syam. At the Palopo Pilwalkot, there were also three female figures, namely Nurhaenih who accompanied Farid Kasim Judas to become a candidate for Deputy Mayor of Palopo. Then the wife of the former Regent of Luwu Regency for two terms, Andi Mudzakkar, Andi Tenri Karta, and Putri Dakka as a businessman and owner skincare which is packaged with Haidir Basir.
In the Gowa regional elections, the only two pairs were Irmawati, who was partnering with PPP politician Amir Uskara, challenging Sitti Husniah Talenrang, the sister of the Head of the National Police Security Maintenance Agency, Commissioner General Fadil Imran, who was in a package with Darmawangsa Muin. And finally, Bantaeng, there is the Chair of the South Sulawesi KNPI, namely Nur Kanita Kahfi, who is joined by Ilham Azikin Soltan as a representative. (LN/J-3)
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