‘Nepotism is back’ in Indonesia

Jakarta – By his own admission, Gibran Rakabuming Raka was a “nobody” a few months before Indonesia’s elections. Now, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo looks set to become the country’s youngest vice-president (VP).

Gibran’s meteoric rise to running mate of president-in-waiting Prabowo Subianto, who declared victory last week, was fuelled by his father’s wild popularity.

“Three months ago I was a nobody. I thank Sir Prabowo who has given room for young people like me,” Gibran, 36, told a packed arena in the capital Jakarta after polls closed on 14 February.

“I believe these high figures were because of the young people.”

Official results show Defence Minister Prabowo’s ticket winning a majority, with more than two-thirds of votes counted. The final result is due next month.

Gibran’s success in the polls has raised questions over the influence of Jokowi, as the president is known, with critics accusing him of seeking to install a political dynasty before he leaves office.

Gibran first stepped into politics while his father was president in 2021, winning the mayorship of Central Java’s Surakarta city – Jokowi’s old job.

Gibran ran on behalf of his father’s ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle but later with Prabowo, an ex-general under the rule of dictator Suharto in the 1990s.

Jokowi leaves office in October, but the idea of another Widodo carrying on his policies has broad appeal in the country.

Indonesia had steady growth over his two terms and Jokowi has near-record approval ratings, so his tacit support strapped an election rocket to the Prabowo-Gibran ticket.

“When people see Gibran, they will see Jokowi,” said Ujang Komarudin, a political analyst from Jakarta-based Al Azhar University. But “the big, strategic matters will be determined by Prabowo”.

Gibran’s business and property investments made him a millionaire, according to a 2020 disclosure to the election commission, way above the wealth of most Indonesians.

Critics accuse him of lacking policy ideas and attempting to mask his shortcomings by demeaning opponents and brushing off questions.

“As a VP he should be talking about policies,” said Ika Idris, political expert at Monash data and democracy research hub. “He’s not mature enough.”

Some liked the idea of Gibran representing young Indonesians, but critics cite nepotism.

“Once again who you know matters more than one’s merit,” said a staffer from a rival presidential campaign, on condition of anonymity. “Nepotism is back with a bang.” –