Herman Deru

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. 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.

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.

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.

Regent (2005-2015)
In 2005, he participated in East OKU's first regent election and won. He was sworn in on 23 August 2005. In his first year of tenure, the poverty level was reduced from 12.81 to 10 percent. 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.

During his second term, he tried to run for governor, challenging incumbent Alex Noerdin in the 2013 election. 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. His second term ended on 23 August 2015. Within his tenure, he received a total of 29 awards including the Satyalencana Wirakarya medal.

Governor
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. He was sworn in on 1 October 2018.

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. The couple has four children. Deru's daughter, Ratu Tenni Leriva, was elected as a senator in the 2024 election representing South Sumatra. His younger brother Bertu Merlas has been elected as a member of the national House of Representatives in 2014, 2019, and 2024.