Motivator and author Merry Riana has joined the Partai Demokrat, and party leader Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) indicated Monday she is being considered for a prominent role in the upcoming campaign. The move signals the party’s intent to broaden its appeal as it prepares for future elections.
AHY announced the addition of Riana, along with 47 other novel members, during a ceremony at the Demokrat’s headquarters in Menteng, Jakarta. He expressed confidence in her potential as a national campaign spokesperson.
“If you heard Miss Merry (Riana) is ready to be a jurkam, that’s amazing. She already speaks fluently on nationalistic and religious themes, and articulates the values of the Demokrat party. She even knows the campaign chants by heart. She is ready to be a jurkam, a national campaign spokesperson,” AHY said during his address to the new members on February 9, 2026.
AHY noted Riana’s experience as a public speaker would be an asset, and plans to test her abilities with larger audiences in the coming months. “As she’s accustomed to being a motivator, we’ll see how she does addressing a large crowd in an open space, giving a speech,” he added.
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Beyond a potential campaign role, AHY also suggested Riana could serve as a party spokesperson, working alongside established figures within the Demokrat. “She could also strive being a spokesperson, in addition to being a jurkam. We have many senior spokespeople here who are well-known on television, and we could introduce a fresh, different presence. If her delivery is solid, it’s just a matter of filling it with political substance,” he explained.
AHY also assigned Riana her first task as a party member: chairing the Partai Demokrat’s national Imlek celebration. He expressed hope this would be a stepping stone for her political career.
“But, as a first assignment for Miss Merry, I’m appointing her as Chair of the National Imlek Celebration for the Partai Demokrat. Are you ready to be Chair? Are others ready to be on the committee?” he asked.
(tsy/dwr)
