2024 Indonesian Presidential Race: Business and military titans showdown of strength in presidential campaign teams

INDONESIA: In the lead-up to the 2024 Presidential Election in Indonesia, candidates have finalized the composition of their national campaign teams, revealing a blend of prominent entrepreneurs and military figures vying for strategic roles in their bid for power.

Ganjar-Mahfud’s National Winning Team (TPN):

Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo and his running mate Mahfud MD have formed the National Winning Team (TPN). Heading this team is the non-active Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Arsjad Rasjid.

Rasjid, known for his business background and association with successful economic programs under President Joko Widodo, brings a youthful perspective to the campaign.

The TPN also includes figures like Sandiaga Uno, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy and ex-Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Orias Petrus Moedak, who played a pivotal role in reclaiming a majority stake in Freeport for Indonesia, and other influential business personalities.

On the military front, former Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Andika Perkasa, and former Deputy Chief of the National Police, Gatot Eddy Pramono, join the ranks of TPN Ganjar-Mahfud, highlighting the blend of civilian and military expertise.

Prabowo-Gibran’s National Campaign Team (TKN):

Opposing them, the team supporting Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka is named the National Campaign Team (TKN). Rosan Roeslani, formerly Vice Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, assumes the role of Chairman alongside Airlangga Hartarto, Chairman of the Golkar Party.

Notably, TKN Prabowo-Gibran has enlisted the support of Aburizal Bakrie, a seasoned tycoon, as their Mentor. Bakrie was once recognized as the wealthiest person in Southeast Asia, according to Globe Asia magazine in 2008.

Bakrie, known for leading the Bakrie Group across various industries, adds a wealth of experience to the campaign. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Prabowo Subianto’s brother and founder of Arsari Group – a holding company with diverse businesses, including operations in agribusiness, mining, forestry as well as trade and logistics – also plays a key role as Vice Chairman.

The military figures supporting Prabowo include General (Ret.) AM Hendropriyono, who is a former Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and the 6th President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Several retired high-ranking officers from the Indonesian military and police showcasing a broad range of military endorsements.

Anies-Muhaimin’s National Team Amin:

For the Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin) ticket, their team, known as Timnas Amin, includes individuals like Thomas Trikasih Lembong, a former Minister of Trade who founded a private equity company in Singapore.

Also, notable are Leontinus Alpha Edison, founder of the marketplace Tokopedia, and Gede Widiade, who led seven football clubs in the Indonesian League.

On the military side, Air Marshal Madya Muhammad Syaugi Alaydrus takes the helm as captain, with Sudirman Said serving as Co-Captain.

Controversy looms over Jokowi’s son’s vice-presidential candidacy as Indonesia finalizes ballot numbers assignment for 2024 Election

The General Election Commission (KPU) of Indonesia has officially assigned the ballot numbers for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates on Tuesday (14 Nov).

These numbers will be featured on the ballot papers during the upcoming voting process on February 14 and in the event of a runoff election if no winner is determined in the first round.

Despite receiving their ballot numbers, the candidates are not permitted to commence their campaigns immediately. The campaign period is set to begin on 28 November 2023 and will continue until 10 February 2024.

A day prior to the official assignment of ballot numbers, the Election Commission officially recognized three pairs of presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2024 Presidential Election.

The proposed presidential and vice-presidential candidates Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar were nominated by the National Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party, and the Prosperous Justice Party.

Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD were nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, the United Development Party, Perindo, and Hanura.

Meanwhile, the pairing of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka were nominated by Gerindra Party, Golkar, the National Mandate Party, the Indonesian Solidarity Party, the Crescent Star Party, the Democratic Party, and the Garuda Party.

However, a legal challenge regarding the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates is currently pending in the Constitutional Court (MK), and it could potentially impact the candidacy of Gibran Rakabuming Raka, whose nomination has been surrounded by controversy.