Indonesia Elections 2024: How the ‘Jokowi effect’ has influenced the electoral landscape

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He has also continued with his trademark impromptu on-the-ground visits, also known as “blusukan”, across Indonesia during the election campaign period.

The president has travelled to Central Java at least three times in the past month to distribute fertiliser, rice and cash assistance, raising questions about his claim of neutrality.

“Blusukan is one of Jokowi’s most effective ways of maintaining his close relationship with the voters. Through blusukan, he can distribute social assistance and so forth,” said Mr Djayadi Hanan, executive director of the Indonesian Survey Institute.

“One of the reasons why the public is so approving of Jokowi’s performance is because the government – through the president – is perceived to be always providing social assistance to the public.” 

Mr Jokowi has said he will go back to his hometown of Surakarta, also known as Solo, in Central Java after he steps down and live as an ordinary citizen.

However, observers said Mr Jokowi and his family will continue to wield tremendous influence. They believe Mr Jokowi will continue to play a significant role in shaping politics in Indonesia even after leaving office.

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Indonesia Elections 2024: More celebrities are vying to be Members of Parliament. What’s the driving force?

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Mr Hadar Nafis Gumay, executive director of non-for-profit organisation Network for Democracy and Electoral Integrity (NETGRIT) echoed the sentiment.

“Parties must disclose to the public how and why a particular candidate is nominated because the nomination process for parliamentary candidates is not done at a party convention for everyone to see,” he told CNA.

Mr Willy Aditya, the executive chairman of the National Democratic Party (Nasdem) said that all of its candidates have gone through a rigorous vetting process.

“The public figures whom we nominate are those who have been in the party for a long time and slowly made their way up from the bottom,” he told CNA.

Among the parliamentary candidates nominated by Nasdem are singer Anisa Bahar and television host Choky Sitohang. The former is running for the first time while the latter failed to secure enough votes in 2019 and is running for the second time.

Meanwhile, National Mandate Party (PAN) executive chairwoman, Mdm Zita Anjani said her party is treating all of its cadres equally and defended its celebrity nominees.

“PAN is opening its doors to everyone. Our MPs are quality MPs including the celebrities. That’s why our celebrity MPs get re-elected time and time again,” she said in an interview with online portal Rakyat Merdeka on Jan 18. 

PAN is home to several celebrity MPs who are now running for re-election including comedian Eko Patrio, soap opera actor Primus Yustisio and movie star Desy Ratnasari.

RECOGNITION NOT A GUARANTEE FOR VOTES

But fame alone does not necessarily mean a candidate will secure enough votes and get elected into office.

In 2019, only 14 actors, comedians and musicians secured a seat in parliament. 

Among those who failed were some of the biggest names in the Indonesian entertainment industry like Katon Bagaskara, the frontman of Indonesia’s legendary band Kla Project; Ahmad Dhani Prasetyo of another legendary band Dewa; and veteran comedian Dedi “Miing” Gumelar.

“Sometimes these celebrities are nominated just to draw more attention to their respective political parties so that the parties will get enough votes to qualify for a seat in parliament,” Mdm Khoirunnisa of Perludem said. 

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Commentary: Tokyo residents require more motivation to relocate

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SHIFT IN CULTURAL PREFERENCES

A shift in cultural preferences is taking root within the Japanese population. The Furusato Kaiki Shien Center, a non-profit organisation in Tokyo dedicated to supporting individuals interested in relocating to rural areas, witnessed a surge in engagement in the past few years.

In 2021, the centre received 49,514 consultations through emails, phone calls, seminars and one-on-one sessions. This figure notably increased by 29 per cent in 2022, with individuals in their 20s to 40s constituting 70 per cent of the consultations.

This growing interest reflects a changing mindset – a growing desire to achieve a better work-life balance, contribute to their local communities and embrace a more organic lifestyle. This shift in public opinion holds promise for the Japanese government’s relocation policies and may provide the extra push for families to take the first step out of Tokyo.

For the relocation policy to unlock its full potential, a more nuanced approach is required. Since economic barriers act as the biggest obstacle for both relocation and family expansion, the Japanese government should provide a monthly allowance of ¥50,000 per child on top of the upfront ¥1 million payout.

The ¥50,000 comes from the average monthly costs of raising a child – ¥45,306 per month. Not only would this monthly support cover the monthly expenses associated with childcare, but would also serve as a catalyst for parents to invest more in their children’s human capital.

Embedding tax breaks, providing extensive job placement support and promoting remote work opportunities will be crucial. By alleviating financial strains and reshaping the corporate structure of Tokyo, this would create an environment conducive to rural development. As interest in relocation out of the capital remains high, it is imperative to recalibrate the policy to align with the evolving needs of the Japanese population.

Uno Kakegawa is Research Fellow in the Centre for Japanese Research at the University of British Columbia. This commentary first appeared on East Asia Forum.

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Indonesia Elections 2024: Ethnic Chinese minority hopes for more representation, political stability

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However, things were not always harmonious there, with those of Chinese ethnicity the target of violence, including during the May 1998 riots which saw the death of an estimated 1,000 people and remains a taboo topic in the country.

“I personally experienced three conflicts in Solo, prior to the era of Mr Jokowi as a mayor and Mr (F X Hadi Rudyatmo) as vice-mayor. Historians always say that Solo is a political barometer, and it has a short fuse,” said Mr Sumartono Hadinoto, vice-chair of the Surakarta Community Association.

Solo is the birthplace of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, who started his political career there as a mayor from 2005 to 2012. His son Gibran Rakabuming Raka is the current mayor of the city, and is the vice presidential candidate of frontrunner Mr Prabowo.

Indonesians hope that such unity lasts, no matter who becomes the next president.

“My wish is for all religious communities in Solo and even throughout Indonesia, to live in harmony, be at peace with each other, be good friends with each other, and celebrate each other’s festivities” said one Solo resident Miftahul. 

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Students in Indonesia plan to protest alleged poll interference

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JAKARTA: Hundreds of Indonesian students and activists will stage protests on Monday (Feb 12) over what they see as outgoing President Joko Widodo’s abuse of power to sway voters in this week’s election in favour of frontrunner Prabowo Subianto, organisers said. Jokowi, as the incumbent is known, has not explicitly endorsedContinue Reading

North Korea develops new rocket launcher controller: State media

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Nuclear-armed North Korea this year declared South Korea as its “principal enemy”, closing agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatening war over “even 0.001 millimetres” of territorial infringement. Leader Kim Jong Un repeated on Friday that Pyongyang would not hesitate to “put an end” to South Korea if attacked,Continue Reading

JB spa operators laud move to freeze new licences in bid to clean up industry’s seedy reputation

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“When you go to certain places, especially the rows of shophouses near Taman Sentosa and Taman Pelangi, it gets very uncomfortable … it’s not family-friendly at all,” she added, referring to districts near the city centre located within a 10-minute drive from Woodlands Causeway.

The industry’s shady reputation has prompted the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) to freeze applications for new business licences for spa, massage, reflexology and wellness outlets in the city. 

Making the announcement earlier this month, Johor Bahru mayor Mohd Noorazam Osman said the freeze is to allow MBJB to “replan and rebrand the business activity so that it will be on par with developed countries”. 

He added that these businesses should be relocated to zones like shopping malls and hotels where the operating hours are more “suitable”. 

“Many apply for licences due to high demand from tourism. However, at the same time, we do not want any immoral activities taking place at these premises,” Mr Mohd Noorazam said.

The freeze does not extend to licence renewals, applications to add lots, or the changing of company owner or company names, he said.

Prior to the freeze, MBJB would receive an average of 15 new applications for such business licenses each month, he added. At present, there are 151 licensed wellness businesses. 

MBJB recently discovered that 43 premises had run afoul of licensing laws by operating in unsuitable zones, for example, and they have been forced to shut operations, he said. 

‘PEOPLE WILL SEE US IN A BETTER LIGHT’

Some legitimate spa operators applauded the decision to freeze new applications.

They said businesses with improper practices — which, according to them, are mostly short-term operations — will be weeded out by the new regulations and this will boost the standards and reputation of the industry overall. 

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