7-11-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesian President Joko Widodo, often referred to as Jokowi, has called for unity and a more constructive “battle of ideas” as the upcoming February 2024 presidential election gains momentum.
During the 59th-anniversary celebration of Golkar, Indonesia’s oldest political party, President Widodo addressed a crowd that included Golkar politicians, presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, and leaders of the Onward Indonesia Coalition parties that support Mr. Prabowo. He humorously noted the proliferation of “dramas” and soap operas, particularly K-dramas and sinetrons, within the political landscape.
Sinetrons are Indonesian soap operas characterized by melodramatic acting, dramatic background music, and never-ending storylines. President Widodo stressed the need for a battle of ideas rather than a battle of emotions, emphasizing that emotional conflicts would hinder progress.
Notably absent from the event were the President’s two sons, Mr. Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Mr. Kaesang Pangarep, who have recently made significant political moves. Gibran, the 36-year-old mayor of Solo, registered his presidential candidacy on October 25, taking advantage of a Constitutional Court ruling that lowered the minimum age for presidential and vice-presidential candidates from 40 to 35, provided they had previously held elected positions. Meanwhile, his 28-year-old brother Kaesang was named the chair of the youth-oriented Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) on September 25.
These developments have sparked speculation about President Widodo’s intentions and whether he aims to establish a political dynasty through his sons after stepping down in 2024. The situation has also given rise to rumors of strained relations between President Widodo and his own party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), as well as with party chair Megawati Sukarnoputri. These alleged tensions stem from differences in the choice of presidential candidate pairings, among other issues.
Megawati has thrown her support behind PDI-P member Ganjar Pranowo, the former governor of Central Java, in his bid for the presidency. In contrast, President Widodo is rumored to favor Prabowo over Ganjar and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan. In an attempt to demonstrate impartiality, he hosted a luncheon with all three candidates on October 30.
Hasto Kristiyanto, the PDI-P secretary-general, expressed his disappointment regarding Gibran’s decision to run for vice-president on the ticket of the opposing Onward Indonesia Coalition parties. He remarked that they hold deep respect and affection for President Jokowi and his family but feel left behind, characterizing Gibran’s candidacy as a form of “political disobedience” against the Constitution and the Indonesian people.
Despite the apparent friction within the political landscape, President Widodo sought to downplay the rivalry among presidential candidates and their supporters. He likened the competition to a family squabble, asserting that once the presidential race concludes, unity and harmony would be restored. He stated, “After this, we will be united and harmonious again. This is a competition between family members, between fellow children of the same nation who all want to advance the country.”
