January 7, 2026 | 05:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The latest survey results from the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) Denny JA concluded that the majority of the public rejects the election of regional leaders through the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). The number of people opposing indirect regional elections reaches 68 percent of the total survey respondents.
"The research results we presented today confirm that the majority of Indonesians reject regional elections through the DPRD," said Ardian Sopa, the Director of LSI Denny JA, after presenting the research results at the LSI office in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Ardian stated that 66 percent is a significant figure in public opinion surveys. He says that obtaining a figure above 60 percent is a significant and systematic result. Therefore, this finding can be considered as evidence of the extent of public rejection of the plan to revert to indirect regional elections.
"Because in public opinion, when it surpasses the 60 percent threshold of public approval, it means the effect is already significant," Ardian said.
LSI Denny JA surveyed from October 10-19, 2025. They involved 1,200 people selected from various regions in Indonesia using a multi-stage random sampling method. All respondents had the right to vote and covered various age categories, from 17 years old to over 60 years old.
This research was conducted through face-to-face interviews with respondents using a structured questionnaire. The margin of error for this survey is 2.9 percent. LSI Denny JA believes that the survey results can reflect the choices of 204 million eligible voters in Indonesia.
Ardian continued by stating that the survey recorded that only 28.6 percent of respondents supported regional elections through the DPRD. Furthermore, 5.3 percent of respondents stated that they did not know or did not answer.
He mentioned that there is evidence indicating that the rejection of the agenda to revert to regional elections through the DPRD occurred massively and systematically. This is evidenced by the consistency of the public's choices, even from diverse segments. For example, in terms of gender categories, the survey reported that the majority of male segments, at 65.8 percent, and female segments, at 66 percent of the total respondents, disagreed with regional elections through the DPRD.
"So, this rejection is a cross-gender rejection," he said.
The survey examined economic, religious, and educational backgrounds to understand the rejection or approval of the indirect regional election agenda. The survey results showed that people with a monthly income of above Rp4 million contributed the largest rejection vote against indirect regional elections, at 70 percent.
Following that, the economic class with a monthly income of Rp2-4 million also mostly rejected indirect regional elections, at 65 percent. This was followed by people with an income below Rp2 million per month, who also mostly rejected regional elections through the DPRD, at 64 percent.
"Once again, this shows a systematic rejection of regional elections through the DPRD," Ardian said.
Ardian also presented data showing that people with different levels of education unanimously rejected indirect regional elections. For example, 73 percent of people with primary school or lower education levels rejected indirect regional elections. Then, 52 percent of people who completed junior high school also rejected it.
Following that, 71 percent of people who completed high school or equivalent also rejected indirect regional elections. Additionally, 61 percent of people who completed diploma-level education and above also rejected regional elections through the DPRD.
Based on interviews and analysis, LSI Denny JA concluded that people reject regional elections through the DPRD because they are accustomed to directly electing regional leaders. The collective memory during the 20 years since the first regional elections in 2005 has greatly influenced public perception.
"The people are used to direct elections, so if suddenly there is a change with an unacceptable assumption, the rejection will be equally strong," Ardian said.
Read: CSIS Rejects Options for Indirect Regional Elections: "No Leadership Regeneration"
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump Says No New Elections for Venezuela in Next 30 Days
22 jam lalu
U.S. President Donald Trump said Venezuela will not hold new general elections in the next 30 days.
Despite Election Losses, Prabowo Says He Serves Aceh and West Sumatra with Free Meals
1 hari lalu
Prabowo considers his defeat in Aceh and West Sumatra as an example that he is still working for the citizens of both provinces despite losing the majority votes.
Prabowo Denies Free Meal Program Is Bid for 2029 Reelection
1 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto denied allegations that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program was a ploy to garner support for 2029 Presidential Election.
Myanmar Junta Sets Final Phase of General Election for January 2026
10 hari lalu
The military government of Myanmar has designated 25 January as the third and final round of the general election amidst armed conflict.
Thailand Set for Early Elections as PM Dissolves Parliament
26 hari lalu
Thailand's prime minister announced he was dissolving parliament and "returning power to the people" as he moved to head off a no-confidence vote.
Thailand Moves to Dissolve Parliament Amid Clashes with Cambodia
26 hari lalu
Amid the dispute with Cambodia, the Thai PM dissolves parliament to make way for an early election.
Hong Kong Sees Low Election Turnout Amid Public Anger over Fire Tragedy
29 hari lalu
Participation of voters in the legislative election in Hong Kong has hit a record low, overshadowed by public anger over a deadly fire.
Hong Kong Holds Election as City Reels from Deadly Fire
31 hari lalu
Polling stations opened on Sunday morning in Hong Kong, the ballot comes days after a massive fire at an apartment complex killed at least 159 people.
Guinea-Bissau: Who Is Toppling Whom, How and Why?
40 hari lalu
On Wednesday, a group of soldiers seized power by force in Guinea-Bissau. The parliamentary and presidential elections held on Sunday were suspended.
Namibia's Adolf Hitler Runs for Reelection as Local Councillor
42 hari lalu
Adolf Hitler Uunona has served as a local councilor since 2004 and is expected to retain his seat, having won roughly 85 percent of the vote in 2020.
