Herzaky Mahendra Putra said he will not pursue the West Kalimantan Democratic Party chairmanship, following an instruction from party leader Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) to prioritize national government duties. The decision was announced before Musda V in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. As a result, Herzaky remains focused on coordinating strategic infrastructure programs under AHY’s ministerial leadership in government.

PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—Herzaky Mahendra Putra has decided not to pursue the chairmanship of the Democratic Party’s West Kalimantan provincial branch. This announcement comes after party leader Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) asked him to remain focused on his national government duties.

Herzaky announced the decision on Friday morning, July 17. This occurred ahead of the opening of the party’s fifth West Kalimantan regional conference (Musda V), in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

The decision followed growing support from party cadres and eligible voters who had encouraged Herzaky to compete for the position.

He said AHY had instructed him to prioritize his responsibilities at the Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry.

“I thank the cadres in West Kalimantan for their trust. Party Chairman AHY has asked me to remain focused at the national level. I must carry out this assignment as well as possible to help him at the Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry,” Herzaky said before the conference opened.

Herzaky serves as the Democratic Party’s head of strategic communications and spokesperson coordinator. He is also AHY’s special staff member for public communications and information, according to his official ministry profile.

AHY, Indonesia’s Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister, oversees coordination across major infrastructure and regional development programs.

Herzaky said his work includes monitoring initiatives involving regional roads, irrigation networks, coastal protection and railway development.

His national role has already brought him into direct contact with infrastructure projects in West Kalimantan. In November 2025, Herzaky inspected irrigation development in Singkawang and Sambas under Presidential Instruction No. 2/2025.

The government designed a four-kilometer secondary irrigation channel in Singkawang to serve about 35 hectares of farmland. The Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry expected another project in Sambas to support approximately 45 hectares.

The Musda V selection process opened candidate registration from July 3 to 9. To qualify, candidates needed support from at least 20 percent of eligible party voters—or at least four voting groups. The conference steering committee confirmed the decision and informed RRI.

Herzaky argued that remaining at the national level could give him greater scope to advocate infrastructure programs. These programs benefit West Kalimantan.

His decision also underscores AHY’s preference. AHY wants to keep him focused on national responsibilities instead of assuming a provincial party leadership role.