Indonesia Elections 2024: No first lady? Frontrunner Prabowo’s single status turns spotlight on ‘state’s mother’ role

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Mdm Ainun Habibie, wife of third president BJ Habibie who was in power for just over a year, served as the chairwoman of the non-profit organisation Indonesian eye bank.

Wife of Indonesia’s fourth president Abdurrahman Wahid, Mdm Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, is an active advocate of religious and racial pluralism.

When the country was led by fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri between 2001 to 2004, Indonesia did not have a first lady but a first man, or “bapak negara” in Indonesian, which means the state’s father or man. 

Her politician husband Mr Taufiq Kiemas was by Megawati’s side when she established current ruling party the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in the late 90s. Like first ladies before him, he accompanied her during bilateral meetings, and was widely well-perceived by the public. 

He became the speaker of the people’s consultative assembly a few years after Mdm Megawati stepped down from power.

Mdm Ani Yudhoyono was concerned about children’s education and had a fondness for photography. She established Mobil Pintar or smart car, a mobile library for children.

Mdm Iriana Joko Widodo, wife of outgoing president Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, has largely been in the background during her husband’s two-term leadership.

However, in November 2023, local investigative media outlet Tempo reported that Mdm Iriana masterminded the vice-presidential candidacy of her son Mr Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is now Mr Prabowo’s running mate.  

Mr Gibran, 36, was initially too young to run as the law stipulated a candidate must be at least 40 years old. But a constitutional court ruling headed by Jokowi’s brother-in-law, Mr Anwar Usman, expanded the candidacy requirements for presidential and vice presidential hopefuls, making it eligible for Mr Gibran to run.

Local media has sought clarification, but Mdm Iriana has remained tight-lipped. 

Though every first lady is unique, one thing that unites them is they tend to be a supporting figure on the sidelines, according to Mr Yoes. 

He opined only Mdm Tien has had a strong active role in Indonesia’s history.

“She was full of controversies as some questioned her activities even though she was also active in promoting an integrated healthcare centre for children,” said Mr Yoes about Mdm Tien’s 29 years as first lady. She passed away in 1996 during her husband’s presidency. 

Her husband Suharto ruled with an iron fist for more than 30 years between 1967 to 1998. He resigned after violent nationwide protests demanded he step down. 

Mdm Tien was linked to scandal regarding the use of state funds for social and humanitarian projects controlled by their family during her husband’s presidency.

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Commentary: Can Indonesia afford presidential candidates’ election promises?

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ECONOMY IN MEDIUM TO LONG TERM

As it stands, the candidates are optimistic that their policies will boost economic growth.

The annual GDP growth of 5.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent as targeted by Mr Anies for the 2025 to 2029 period is considered more realistic than the 6 per cent to 7 per cent target of Mr Prabowo and the 7.5 per cent to 8 per cent target of Mr Ganjar.

With historical precedence, a more realistic growth potential for Indonesia – based on its performance in the last decade – should be somewhere between 5.5 per cent and 6.0 per cent, especially since momentum seems to have stagnated after growing 6 per cent in 2012.

Global economic uncertainty, sluggish consumption and the low manufacturing capacity are some of the reasons why a higher growth target is difficult to achieve. These all call for a strategic structural transformation in the areas of improving overall productivity, revamping investment incentives, and prioritising fiscal expenditure in sectors that can bring about higher fiscal multipliers to the overall economy.

Nonetheless, it goes without saying that whoever is elected the new leader would want to see a progressive Indonesia with a stable and stronger economy.

The country’s long-term prospects are brighter than ever, with its young, digitally savvy population, abundance of natural resources, growing consumer spending and strategic location at the heart of Southeast Asia.

Indonesia gets to choose from three suitors on Valentine’s Day. We are confident that it will be a happy marriage, whomever she chooses.

Enrico Tanuwidjaja is ASEAN economist at UOB. His coverage focuses on Indonesia and Thailand.

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Pakistan counts votes in poll hit by violence and suspended mobile services

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REMOVE PASSWORDS

The move to suspend mobile networks sparked criticism from leaders of opposition parties, with the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old son of assassinated former premier Benazir Bhutto, calling for its “immediate restoration”.

Amnesty International called it “a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja said the decision on mobile networks was made by “law and order agencies” following Wednesday’s violence and the commission would not interfere.

There was no word on when the networks would be restored.

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, in a post on X, called on people to remove passwords from their personal Wi-Fi accounts “so anyone in the vicinity” could have internet access.

Election officials said they received several complaints from people who were unable to find their polling stations because of the internet shutdown.

“The communication with voters and others is very difficult … we are facing so many problems due to the internet closure,” said 50-year-old Mehmood Chaudry, a school teacher who cast his vote in the city of Rawalpindi.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, considered by many analysts to be the front-runner, dismissed talk of an unclear result and emphasised the need for a “clear majority”.

“Don’t talk about a coalition government. It is very important for a government to get a clear majority … It should not be relying on others,” he told reporters after casting his vote in the eastern city of Lahore.

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China’s spy agency warns students studying, visiting, and holidaying abroad against foreign espionage

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SINGAPORE: China’s top spy agency has warned Chinese students studying abroad against working with foreign spies as Beijing’s national security drive continues apace amid tensions with the West.

The Ministry of State Security sounded the alarm on Wednesday (Feb 7) on its WeChat account, cautioning Chinese nationals to be alert and avoid contact or cooperating with foreign intelligence agencies – be it studying or travelling overseas, or just paying a visit abroad.

This will help people to be timely in “uncovering the ulterior motives of seemingly cordial interactions”, it said in the post which had more than 100,000 views.

“In the face of all kinds of solicitation and counter-intelligence activities by foreign espionage agencies, it is necessary to maintain a line of defence and avoid falling into the traps set by (them)”, the ministry wrote.

At the same time, the ministry assured that for people who are coerced or tricked into joining foreign espionage organisations and carry out activities which endanger China’s national security, they may not be prosecuted if they “promptly and truthfully” explain the situation to Chinese authorities.

EMBROILED IN ESPIONAGE

The post details a “real case” involving a Chinese student who was “severely punished” for leaking Chinese scientific research after graduating.

The student, referred to only by the surname Zhang, is said to have become involved in espionage while studying at a top-ranked college overseas in 2006. The ministry did not identify the country.

Zhang had been tasked to liaise with other Chinese students at the college due to his outstanding academic performance. This gained the attention of a senior figure in the college.

This person went on to introduce Zhang to two people who turned out to be foreign spies, the ministry wrote.

They convinced Zhang to provide intelligence on Chinese international students and eventually other “sensitive information” in return for money.

With their help, Zhang secured a job in a Chinese research institution in China even though his grades were below the entry requirement. In return, Zhang continued feeding information to them, including confidential data, the WeChat account said.

Eventually, Zhang’s actions were found out and he was punished for committing espionage, the ministry said, adding that Zhang had essentially “buried his promising prospects and youth” by giving in to the foreign intelligence agency’s “emotional manipulation and monetary temptation”.

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Amid claims by Najib’s lawyer over former king’s decision, UMNO chief says party is pushing for his release

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“We are moving towards fulfilling Najib and his family’s request, and the steps to be taken later should consider our respect for the (current) Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“This is because His Majesty also has powers as outlined in the Federal Constitution,” Mr Ahmad Zahid – who is also UMNO president – was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.

Responding to claims made by Najib’s lawyer – Mr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah – Mr Ahmad Zahid said that the public should honour and respect the decision by the former king to grant Najib a commuted sentence.

“Any individual, including lawyers, should respect this decision. Subsequently, let’s take legal and necessary steps to pursue this defence for Najib,” he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.

Earlier on Wednesday, Malaysian media reported that Shafee had claimed that the former Agong had contemplated a full pardon for Najib but later chose for a commuted sentence during the Pardons Board meeting which he chaired on Jan 29 – a day before he officially ended his five-year reign as Malaysia’s 16th king.  

The Edge Malaysia reported that members of the Pardons Board had instead recommended for the former prime minister to continue serving his sentence.

While the awarding of a pardon or any consideration of clemency is the sole prerogative of the king, administration sources previously told CNA that sensitive matters of huge national importance are typically discussed in private by the Conference of Rulers, which counts the nine heads of the country’s royal households.

On Wednesday, Shafee also claimed that discussions on Najib’s pardon began on Dec 8, 2023.

“The actual detailed (pardon) discussions started on Dec 8, 2023. (It’s) very detailed, I think. It went on for a couple hours, and they discussed Najib’s matter and so on,” he said, according to The Edge Malaysia.

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Indonesian merchandise businesses cash in on election fever

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Smaller items are also selling like hotcakes.

A store owner told CNA that pins and caps are flying off his shelves. His shop sells hundreds of accessories daily during this period, a jump from just 50 pieces on a regular day.

PRINTING BUSINESSES BOOM

Printing services that cater to such stores are speeding up production to deliver orders on time and cash in on the election fever.  

Businessman Mr Iskandar, who like most Indonesians goes by one name, said his printing business has raked in an additional profit of 60 to 70 per cent in the lead up to elections.

The Jakarta local sells a variety of clothing items – shirts, vests and jackets – everything that can be printed on.

He has been involved in three elections now, and has worked out a formula to incentivise customers to place their printing orders with him.

“For every 1,000 orders, we will give a gift of 50 (small, handheld) flags,” he said.

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