Family members of Indonesian President to enter 2024 regional elections

INDONESIA: Indonesia’s political landscape is gearing up for a significant shift as family members of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) step into the limelight, preparing to participate in the forthcoming 2024 regional elections.

Among the prominent figures making waves are Bobby Nasution and Erina Gudono, both in-laws of the president, poised to enter the electoral fray in various regions across the archipelago.

Bobby Nasution, married to Kahiyang Ayu, Jokowi’s daughter, has boldly declared his readiness to engage in the political arena, eyeing the gubernatorial elections of North Sumatra in 2024.

Following his attendance at the Safety Operation Toba 2024 briefing on Wednesday (13 March), Bobby affirmed his determination, stating, “Yes, God willing, I will advance.”

Bobby Nasution. (Photo: publika.mol.id)

His aspirations have gained momentum with backing from influential parties such as the Golkar Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Notably, Partai Gerindra, led by Prabowo Subianto, has also expressed support, recognizing Bobby’s contributions during the previous presidential election.

Meanwhile, Erina Gudono, a daughter-in-law of President Jokowi, is also set to make her mark in the 2024 regional elections.

Speculation is rife that Erina, married to Kaesang Pangarep, may emerge as a candidate for the regent position in Sleman, Central Java. HR

Sukaptana, Chairman of the Gerindra Party’s Sleman Branch, confirmed Erina’s potential candidacy, signalling an expanded role for the Jokowi family in regional politics.

Adding to the political mix is Kaesang Pangarep, Jokowi’s youngest son and Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), who has been included as a potential candidate for mayor in the 2024 simultaneous elections.

Growing political influence of the Jokowi family

A survey conducted by Solo Raya Polling identified Kaesang among 12 individuals considered for the position, highlighting the growing political influence of the Jokowi family.

The prospect of Erina Gudono and Kaesang Pangarep’s participation in the 2024 regional elections further amplifies the presence of the Jokowi family in Indonesian politics.

With Jokowi’s political trajectory from Mayor of Surakarta to Governor of DKI Jakarta before assuming the presidency for two terms, the family’s political footprint continues to expand.

Gibran, Jokowi’s eldest son and current Mayor of Surakarta, played a pivotal role as his running mate in the recent presidential election, solidifying the family’s political legacy.

Political analysts have offered varied perspectives on these developments. Ray Rangkuti from Lingkar Madani Indonesia, a civil society organization focusing on monitoring elections, criticizing parliament, and combating corruption, highlighted three key aspects: the pursuit of power, political dynasty, and President Jokowi’s legacy of success.

He touched on the topics of power, political dynasties, and President Jokowi’s success. “I see it in three aspects, firstly, it’s a sort of natural destiny of power, if one can have many, why settle for few? If one can have two, why settle for one, and so on,” Ray told the media on Wednesday.

He continued that power tends to aggressively accumulate as many branches as possible.

He believes it’s a natural craving for power. “That’s why democracy is crucial to ensure that power can be restrained, regulated, and controlled. ”

“It shouldn’t be monopolized by one person, one family or one group,” he emphasized.

Ray suggested that President Jokowi’s family might realize that the issue of political dynasty is an elite concern. Only a small portion of the Indonesian populace raises this issue.

“The Jokowi family may perceive the moral reasons for rejecting political dynasties. It’s not widely followed or understood by the Indonesian people,” he stated firmly.

“The third reason, I suspect, is a perception within President Jokowi himself. That he has successfully brought this nation to a more advanced stage, unlike previous leaders,” Ray said.

With that perception, Ray said, there might be a feeling among Indonesians that they should appreciate it. Showing gratitude for President Jokowi’s leadership, “In the form of accepting his family, who might be driven to power at a certain level, within the leadership stratification in Indonesia,” he stressed.

Jokowi’s “dynasty”

On the other hand, a political observer from Gadjah Mada University, Nyarwi Ahmad, hinted at Jokowi as the most successful president who built a political dynasty post-reformation.

He sees the practice of political dynasties within President Jokowi’s family as expanding to perpetuate his power.

He observes Jokowi expanding his political lineage as he approaches retirement from the palace. “Just look at his children, from mayor to vice president. And if Kaesang succeeds in Solo and Erina in Sleman, that would be an extraordinary success. Perhaps it could enter MURI (Indonesian Record Museum) or the Guinness World Records,” he remarked.

Additionally, Nyarwi sees that if Partai Gerindra were to endorse Erina Gudono as a candidate for regent of Sleman, it wouldn’t be a shortcut or a failure in their cadreship.

“The fact is, these political parties have weak roots in society, they adapt. But their way of adaptation is often less than ideal or even detrimental to democratic principles,” he concluded.