Gembong Warsono
{{Short description|Indonesian politician (1963–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Gembong Warsono
|image = Gembong Warsono DPRD DKI Jakarta.jpg
|office = Member of Jakarta Regional House of Representatives
|term_start = 25 August 2014
|term_end = 14 October 2023
|birth_date = {{birth date|1963|6|8|df=y}}
|birth_place = {{nowrap|Wonogiri, Central Java, Indonesia}}
|death_date = {{death date and age|2023|10|14|1963|6|8|df=y}}
|death_place = Jakarta, Indonesia
|party = PDI-P
}}
Gembong Warsono (8 June 1963 – 14 October 2023) was an Indonesian politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. He was elected twice into the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives, serving as a member from 2014 until his death in 2023. He had led his party's faction in the legislature and was a critic of governor Anies Baswedan.
Early life and family
Gembong was born in Wonogiri Regency on 8 June 1963. He obtained a degree in management from {{ill|Muhammadiyah Hamka University|id|Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka}}.{{cite news |title=Profil Gembong Warsono |url=https://tirto.id/m/gembong-warsono-BW |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=tirto.id |language=id}} He married Asih Purwanti and had four children.{{cite web |title=Gembong Warsono, S.IP., MM |url=https://dprd-dkijakartaprov.go.id/profile/gembong-warsono-s-ip/ |publisher=Jakarta Regional House of Representatives |access-date=14 October 2023 |language=id}}
Career
According to Gembong, he was already a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) during the 27 July 1996 incident as a party official in the Kebayoran Lama district. Following PDI's split, he joined the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).{{cite news |title=Profil Gembong Warsono, Sudah Jadi Teman Diskusi Petinggi PDI Meski Masih Jabat Pengurus Kecamatan |url=https://jakarta.tribunnews.com/2023/02/28/profil-gembong-warsono-sudah-jadi-teman-diskusi-petinggi-pdi-meski-masih-jabat-pengurus-kecamatan |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=Tribun Jakarta |date=28 February 2023 |language=id-ID}} His first electoral attempt was in the 1999 Indonesian legislative election, when he ran unsuccessfully for a legislator seat in the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives.{{cite news |title=Gembong Gagal Tiga Kali Nyaleg, Kali Ini Lolos ke Dewan |url=https://www.jpnn.com/news/gembong-gagal-tiga-kali-nyaleg-kali-ini-lolos-ke-dewan |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=JPNN |date=23 April 2014 |language=id}} In 2000, he became secretary of the party's South Jakarta branch, and in 2003 he was elected into South Jakarta's city council (an advisory body{{cite news |title=Tentang Dewan Kota Jakarta dan Tugasnya |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-5763844/tentang-dewan-kota-jakarta-dan-tugasnya |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=detiknews |date=12 October 2021 |language=id-ID}}). Gembong once more ran and failed to secure a seat in South Jakarta in the 2004 legislative election, when he placed third among PDI-P candidates in his South Jakarta constituency while the party won two seats. For his third electoral attempt in 2009, he was ordered by the party's provincial leadership to run in West Jakarta instead and once more failed to secure a seat.
Warsono became the chairman of PDI-P's South Jakarta branch in 2010, and he secured a legislator seat in his fourth attempt in the 2014 election. Sworn in on 25 August 2014,{{cite news |title=Mendagri Lantik 106 Anggota DPRD DKI Periode 2014–2019 |url=https://www.satuharapan.com/read-detail/read/mendagri-lantik-106-anggota-dprd-dki-periode-20142019 |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=satuharapan.com |date=25 August 2014 |language=id}} Gembong had become leader of PDI-P's faction in the legislature by 2017.{{cite news |last1=Susanto |first1=Elik |title=Mobil Dinas Pejabat, DPRD DKI Wajib Kembalikan 101 Corolla Altis |url=https://fokus.tempo.co/read/1028951/mobil-dinas-pejabat-dprd-dki-wajib-kembalikan-101-corolla-altis |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=Tempo |date=30 October 2017 |language=id}} He won 17,739 votes in the 2019 election, retained his seat and his position as faction leader of PDI-P.{{cite news |title=Gembong Warsono Kembali Pimpin Fraksi PDIP DPRD DKI Jakarta |url=https://www.idntimes.com/news/indonesia/gregorius-pranandito/gembong-warsono-kembali-pimpin-fraksi-pdip-dprd-dki-jakarta?page=all |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=IDN Times |date=29 August 2019 |language=id}}
=Positions=
During the governorship of Anies Baswedan, Gembong was a frequent critic of Baswedan's policies.{{cite news |title=Sosok Gembong Warsono, Sering Kritik Anies Baswedan, Targetkan PDIP Raih 33 Kursi DPRD DKI Jakarta |url=https://wartakota.tribunnews.com/2023/10/14/sosok-gembong-warsono-sering-kritik-anies-baswedan-targetkan-pdip-raih-33-kursi-dprd-dki-jakarta |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=Wartakotalive.com |date=14 October 2023 |language=id-ID}}{{cite news |last1=Fadil |first1=Kurniawan |title=Anies Kenang Politikus PDIP Gembong Warsono: Kritis tapi Komunikasi Tetap Baik |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-6982096/anies-kenang-politikus-pdip-gembong-warsono-kritis-tapi-komunikasi-tetap-baik |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=detiknews |date=14 October 2023 |language=id-ID}} Gembong attacked Baswedan's policies which involved firms owned by the provincial government, which he referred to as "policy smuggling".{{cite news |title=Anggota DPRD Gembong Warsono katakan Jakarta punya gubernur unik |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/1057916/anggota-dprd-gembong-warsono-katakan-jakarta-punya-gubernur-unik |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=Antara News |date=12 September 2019 |language=id}} He had also attacked Baswedan over a 2019 plan to permit street vendors to operate on Jakarta's sidewalks,{{cite news |title=Bolehkan PKL Jualan di Trotoar, PDIP: Anies Sok Pro Rakyat |url=https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20190905145322-4-97376/bolehkan-pkl-jualan-di-trotoar-pdip-anies-sok-pro-rakyat |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=CNBC Indonesia |date=8 September 2019 |language=id-ID}} and in 2018 over the use of dumpsters imported from Germany over local products.{{cite news |last1=Pradewo |first1=Bintang |title=Gembong: Tong Sampah Impor Jerman Tidak Sesuai Komitmen Anies-Sandi |url=https://www.jawapos.com/berita-sekitar-anda/0148353/gembong-tong-sampah-impor-jerman-tidak-sesuai-komitmen-aniessandi |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=Jawa Pos |date=5 June 2018 |language=id}} However, he praised Baswedan's efforts in integrating Jakarta's public transport systems.{{cite news |title=Tak Semua Janji Kampanye Terpenuhi, Ketua Fraksi PDIP Gembong Warsono Tetap Puji Anies Baswedan soal Transportasi Publik |url=https://www.tvonenews.com/berita/nasional/74301-tak-semua-janji-kampanye-terpenuhi-ketua-fraksi-pdip-gembong-warsono-tetap-puji-anies-baswedan-soal-transportasi-publik |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=tvonenews.com |date=13 October 2022 |language=id}} He further questioned Jakarta's hosting of the Formula E motorsport championships, citing poor ticket sales and low interest from sponsors.{{cite news |title=Gembong Minta Gelaran Formula E Ketiga Patut Dipertimbangkan |url=https://www.jawapos.com/jabodetabek/01928245/gembong-minta-gelaran-formula-e-ketiga-patut-dipertimbangkan |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=Jawa Pos |date=13 June 2023 |language=id}}
Death
Gembong died at Pertamina Central Hospital in South Jakarta, on 14 October 2023, at age 60. He was buried on the same day at the {{ill|Tanah Kusir Cemetery|id|Taman Pemakaman Umum Tanah Kusir}}.{{cite news |title=Ketua Fraksi PDI-P DPRD DKI Gembong Warsono Meninggal Dunia |url=https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2023/10/14/08334841/ketua-fraksi-pdi-p-dprd-dki-gembong-warsono-meninggal-dunia |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=KOMPAS.com |date=14 October 2023 |language=id}}