Onwards and Upwards
Three celebrities share with Anastasia Wibowo and Novranto Huntua their lifelong dreams of setting foot in the country’s political scene
Details the political agendas of three Indonesian celebrities who are now shifting into politics
True Calling
Krisdayanti shares with us the real reasons behind her dive into politics “It has been a long time coming,” says Krisdayanti, opening the conversation with Indonesia Tatler about her political ambitions. The humble and adorable pop diva has been a successful singer for some 25 years now, so what has driven her to join the political world? “First of all, it is because of my love for Indonesia,” she says. “Politics have always been a part of my life. So I have asked my husband’s permission and the support of my family, and I feel like this is the right time for me to contribute for this country.”
For the 2019 legislative election, the beautiful songstress is running as the legislative candidate with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for the electoral district of East Java V in Malang Raya. Although now based in Jakarta, she still supports her hometown of Batu, a city near Malang. Her vision and mission are in line with PDI-P, which is to actualise welfare for the Indonesian people and advance female political participation. “Women’s participation in politics is still less than 30 per cent,” says the mother of four.
“One of the reasons I joined PDI-P is because it has its own political candidate training, including for the campaign team,” Krisdayanti explains. Would she be worried if people doubt her competency in politics? “I don’t mind. But they need to know that I take this very seriously,” she adds. “If I get elected, I will opt to sit in either Commission VIII or X, as my mission is to improve children’s education and promote female empowerment,” says Krisdayanti with a charming smile.
Politics, Clean and Simple
Being ready to stand up for people’s aspirations is the vision of Muhammad Farhan, who tells us that he wants to win the legislative election far away from money politics Presenter and actor Muhammad Farhan is a fine example of one of the nation’s top celebrities who decided to take the plunge into politics. Joining the National Democrat (Nasdem) party, Farhan, who was born in Bogor on February 25, 1970, advances as legislative candidate number 1 for the Electoral District 1 of West Java, which includes cities of Bandung and Cimahi.
For Farhan, an admirer of national hero and proclamator Mohammad Hatta, his strong desire to enter politics is because he wants to be a part of a national movement pushing for positive change and progress for the beloved country of Indonesia.
As a legislative candidate, Farhan is determined to make the West Java region— especially the cities of Bandung and Cimahi—more advanced and modern, with a healthy population and a clean and beautiful landscape.
However, in striving to realise his goal as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia, Farhan wants to achieve success far away from money politics and avoiding “black” campaigns. Farhan, who is an alumnus of the faculty of economics of Padjajaran University, explains: “I want to participate in clean politics. The practice of money politics is unwise—and it does not benefit the public.” Farhan believes that money should not be an incentive to vote for someone. The most important thing is to be consistent, he says, and to stay in touch, directly absorb, and at the same time provide solutions for every problem faced by the community.
If God sees his efforts to become a member of DPR RI through to fruition, Farhan is ready to serve and be placed on any commission, but his choice is the DPR RI Commission VII, which focuses on energy and mineral resources, research and technology, as well as the environment.
Child’s Play
Chicha Koeswoyo wholeheartedly dedicates her efforts to the people Since a hiatus from her music, Chicha Koeswoyo, the former child singer who was widely popular back in 1976, is now involved in politics through the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). For the 2019 legislative election, she has become one of the legislative candidates for membership of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia in the electoral district of DKI Jakarta I in the East Jakarta administrative area.
“My decision to dive into politics is solely to dedicate my service to the wider community,” Chicha explains to Indonesia Tatler. With her tagline “Once a child singer, now caring for children”, Chicha, who is the first daughter of Indonesia’s famed musician Nomo Koeswoyo, has a vision to stand up for the rights of women and children to be physically and mentally healthy, smart and prosperous. Should she be blessed to be elected as a member of DPR, Chicha wants to sit on Commission VIII, which focuses on women’s empowerment and child protection.
To realise this goal, Chicha, who is a fan of the proclamator and first Indonesian President Ir. Soekarno, is determined to be consistent in her approach and be ready to mingle directly with the wider community to absorb and fight for their aspirations and provide solutions.
“Politics is a new world for me,” she says. “However, with the support of family, friends, and volunteers, none of this will be an obstacle for me to serve and provide protection for children and to improve women’s welfare on a national scale,” says the mother of two, ending our conversation.