Herman Deru

Herman Deru
16th Governor of South Sumatra
In office 1 October 2018 – 1 October 2023
Deputy	Mawardi Yahya (2018 - 2023) Cik Ujang (elected)
Preceded by	Alex Noerdin
Succeeded by	Agus Fatoni (acting)
Regent of East Ogan Komering Ulu
In office 23 August 2005 – 23 August 2015
Deputy	Kholid Mawardi
Preceded by	Sujiadi
Succeeded by	Kholid Mawardi
Personal details
Born	(1967-11-17) 17 November 1967 (age 57)
Spouse	Febrita Lusita
Children	4, including Percha Leanpuri
Alma mater	Sjahyakirti University STIE Trisna Negara Belitang
Website	hermanderu.id

Herman Deru (born 17 November 1967) is an Indonesian politician who served as the governor of South Sumatra between 2018 and 2023, and was formerly Regent of East Ogan Komering Ulu between 2005 and 2015.

Born in the town of Belitang, he worked as a civil servant for 11 years before entering politics, becoming a two-term regent for his home regency. After his ten years ended, he participated in the 2018 gubernatorial election and won.

Early life and education

Herman Deru is part of the Komering clan, which is native to areas of South Sumatra.[1] He was born in the town of Belitang in East Ogan Komering Ulu Regency on 17 November 1967. Completing his primary (1979) and junior high school (1982) there, he would later graduate from Palembang State Senior High School 3 (SMA Negeri 3 Palembang) in 1985.[2][3]

Later, as he worked, he would continue to study law in Sjahyakirti University in Palembang, getting his bachelor's degree in 1995. After he became regent, he would continue to study for his masters as well, obtaining a master's degree in management from Trisna Negara Belitang Economic Institute (STIE Trisna Negara Belitang) in 2008.[3]

Career

After completing his high school, he was briefly self-employed before he became a civil servant in 1987. He would work for the provincial government for 11 years, before he resigned in 1998 and returned to his business.[3]

Regent (2005-2015)

In 2005, he participated in East OKU's first regent election and won.[4] He was sworn in on 23 August 2005.[5] In his first year of tenure, the poverty level was reduced from 12.81 to 10 percent.[1] He was reelected in 2010, winning 94.86 percent of the votes and breaking the national record for the biggest victory in a local election.[6]

During his second term, he tried to run for governor, challenging incumbent Alex Noerdin in the 2013 election.[7] The initial results were challenged and a revote was held. However, he would lose to Noerdin, winning 1,389,169 votes to Noerdin's 1,447,799.[8] His second term ended on 23 August 2015.[9] Within his tenure, he received a total of 29 awards including the Satyalencana Wirakarya medal.[1]

Governor

See also: 2018 South Sumatra gubernatorial election

In 2018, Deru decided to run once more for governorship, with Alex Noerdin ineligible for a third term. Backed by PAN, Nasdem and Hanura, him and his running mate Mawardi Yahya won 1,394,438 votes (35.96%), defeating 3 other pairs.[3][10] He was sworn in on 1 October 2018.[11]

Personal life and family

He married Febrita Lustia in 1985, at the age of 17 as he graduated from high school. Febrita's father, Husni, had served as Mayor of Palembang between 1993 and 2003.[12] The couple has four children.[3] Deru's daughter, Ratu Tenni Leriva [id], was elected as a senator in the 2024 election representing South Sumatra.[13] His younger brother Bertu Merlas [id] has been elected as a member of the national House of Representatives in 2014, 2019, and 2024.[14]

Honours

• Bintang Jasa Pratama (2009)
• Satyalencana Wira Karya (2009)
• Satyalancana Pembangunan (2007)

References

1. Jeghesta, Manuel (20 October 2017). "Mendalami Sosok Herman Deru Calon Gubernur Sumsel 2018". SINDOnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 July 2018.
2. "Profil" (in Indonesian). Herman Deru. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
3. "Profil Herman Deru". VIVA (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 July 2018.
4. "SEJARAH SINGKAT KABUPATEN OKU TIMUR" (in Indonesian). East OKU Regency. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
5. "Jabatan Deru Berakhir 23 Agustus". Sriwijaya Post (in Indonesian). 23 March 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
6. Dinata, Dadang (6 June 2010). "Rekor Pilkada, Cabup OKU Raih 95 % Suara". Okezone (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 July 2018.
7. "Herman Daru Saingi Kekayaan Alex Noerdin". KOMPAS (in Indonesian). 16 May 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
8. Maspril, Aries (11 September 2013). "Alex Noerdin Kembali Unggul pada Pemilukada Gubernur Sumsel". Republika (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 July 2018.
9. Hendra, Evan (24 August 2015). "HM Kholid MD Sudah Kembalikan Mobil Dinas". Sriwijaya Post (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 July 2018.
10. "PILKADA PROVINSI SUMATERA SELATAN". Komisi Pemilihan Umum. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
11. Siregar, Raja Adil (2 October 2018). "Jabat Gubernur, Herman Deru Siap Bantu Jokowi di Sumsel". detikCom (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 October 2018.
12. "Ingin Buktikan Janji". Sriwijaya Post (in Indonesian). 21 November 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
13. Pahlevi, Reiza (10 March 2024). "Putri Herman Deru Raih Suara Terbanyak di Pileg DPD RI dan Geser Petahana". detiksumbagsel (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
14. "Profil Bertu Merlas, Adik Kandung Mantan Gubernur Herman Deru Tiga Kali Lolos ke Senayan". Sriwijaya Pos (in Indonesian). 6 March 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.