Carlos Paath, Jakarta – Amidst controversy surrounding rumors of her resignation, Surabaya mayor Tri Rismaharini rose as another potential presidential candidate for the upcoming election.
"Risma is a phenomenal figure that has won the public's heart, it's just about synchronizing that with a political party. A figure like Risma has the potential to be vice president or at least a minister," Arie Sudjito, a political analyst at Gadjahmada University, said on Monday.
Arie said Risma has set an example as a leader who has put the public interest first and that her naivety as a politician could be to her advantage. He said political parties should focus on recruiting cadres such as Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo or Risma to lead the country.
"Democracy has to be enhanced by competent leaders. If political parties want to have any chance, they must recruit good people such as Joko and Risma. If we can't pick a good leader who is willing to work hard, this nation will sink," he said. Arie said political parties should put the brakes on their political egos, which only harm the country.
Despite praise and recommendations of support in the upcoming election Risma denied that any political parties had approached her.
She also denied rumors that she intended to resign as mayor because she had received an offer from a certain political party to run in the election as vice presidential candidate. "Nobody has offered me anything, I swear to God, I don't even know a thing about being a vice president," she said.
But aside from praises and accolades, Risma also faces opposition and criticism. Puan Maharani, chairwoman of the central executive board of the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), on Monday slammed the mayor for her emotional outburst and over reports that she wanted to resign.
Puan said Risma should not publicly vent her problems to gain sympathy. "As a part of the PDI-P family, Risma should be careful, she has to be able to control her emotions and ambitions. As a human being venting is allowed, but please don't worsen the situation,' she said.
Speculation has mounted in the past week that Risma, Surabaya's first female mayor, plans to leave office amid the PDI-P's meddling in municipal affairs.
In a widely watched interview on Metro TV last week, she broke down in tears as she spoke of the pressure and frustration she faced on various fronts in trying to run the country's second-biggest city.