Indonesia election 2024 – who's vying to become the next president?

Summary

Indonesia's 2024 presidential election is set to be a heated contest, with over 200 million voters across its vast archipelago. The leading candidate, Prabowo Subianto, a controversial figure with a past tied to human rights abuses, faces competition from Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. Youth voters, who are increasingly turning to platforms like TikTok for information, are central to the election's dynamics. The potential for a runoff election adds uncertainty, as political dynasties and social media influence play significant roles in shaping the race. The outcome will determine the future direction of Indonesia's political landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proojo Subianto, despite being dismissed from Indonesia's military over human rights abuse allegations, is the presidential front-runner in the 2024 election.
• 😀 Indonesia's presidential election will take place on February 14, 2024, with more than 200 million voters expected across 6,000 islands.
• 😀 Voting is not compulsory in Indonesia, but a high turnout is expected, with 81% of voters participating in the 2019 election.
• 😀 Proojo Subianto is leading in the polls despite his controversial past involving alleged human rights abuses during the Suharto regime.
• 😀 The youth vote is critical, with more than half of eligible voters aged 17-40, many of whom have limited awareness of Indonesia's darker history under Suharto.
• 😀 Subianto's running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is the son of outgoing president Joko Widodo, which has sparked concerns of a political dynasty.
• 😀 Joko Widodo's son, Gibran, is running for vice president but has not received an official endorsement from his father, though he is perceived to be backing Subianto.
• 😀 Anies Baswedan, a former Jakarta governor, is the only candidate opposed to Joko’s plan to relocate Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to Borneo, citing more urgent issues.
• 😀 Anies Baswedan is predicted to finish second in the polls, with Ganjar Pranowo, a former governor, trailing in third place.
• 😀 Social media, particularly TikTok, plays a huge role in this election, with candidates targeting the youth demographic through short, engaging videos.
• 😀 Concerns have been raised that candidates are focusing more on gimmicks like ticket giveaways for K-pop concerts rather than detailed policy discussions.

Q & A

What significant event led to Prabowo Subianto's dismissal from Indonesia's military?

Prabowo Subianto was dismissed from the Indonesian military in the late 1990s due to allegations of human rights abuses, including involvement in the kidnapping and torture of pro-democracy activists.

How has Prabowo Subianto managed to maintain his political relevance despite his controversial past?

Prabowo Subianto has rebranded himself and, through strategic alliances, has positioned himself as the frontrunner in Indonesia's presidential race, with his most notable partnership being with Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the son of outgoing President Jokowi.

Why has the inclusion of Gibran Rakabuming Raka in Prabowo's campaign raised concerns?

Gibran’s inclusion has fueled speculation that President Jokowi is building a political dynasty, despite his previous image as an outsider and a president without elite political ties.

What has been the public perception of Jokowi's presidency regarding the political dynasty issue?

Jokowi was initially seen as a humble, non-elite figure, which appealed to many voters. However, his endorsement of his son’s candidacy has led some to believe that Jokowi is working to establish a dynasty, betraying his original outsider image.

Who is Anies Baswedan and what distinguishes his presidential campaign?

Anies Baswedan is a former academic and the governor of Jakarta. He distinguishes himself from the other candidates by opposing Jokowi’s controversial plan to relocate Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Borneo, arguing that there are more pressing issues to address.

What is the significance of the youth vote in Indonesia’s upcoming election?

The youth vote is highly significant, with more than half of eligible voters being between 17 and 40 years old. Many of these voters lack strong memories of Indonesia’s past under Suharto's regime, making them key to the election outcome.

How is social media influencing the election in Indonesia?

Social media, particularly TikTok, plays a crucial role in campaigning, as candidates target younger voters through viral, short-form content. However, there are concerns that this approach could focus more on superficial tactics rather than detailed policy discussions.

What are the potential consequences if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the upcoming election?

If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be held in June, which could change the dynamics of the race as candidates may need to form new alliances to secure victory.

What role does Gibran Rakabuming Raka play in Prabowo's campaign, and how does it affect public perception?

Gibran, as Jokowi's son, is seen as a potential bridge between Prabowo and Jokowi's supporters, adding a sense of continuity to Prabowo's campaign. However, it has also raised concerns about dynastic politics, potentially undermining the democratic process.

How has the media coverage of the presidential candidates differed, particularly in terms of young voters?

Media coverage has focused heavily on the youth vote, with local media dubbing this the 'TikTok election.' Candidates have been criticized for relying on gimmicks like ticket giveaways to K-pop concerts rather than focusing on addressing core issues through detailed policy plans.