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Does the New Order only end in Cendana?: Pandji Pragiwaksono
As a supporter and spokesman of Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pair Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno, Indonesian stand-up comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono has always been bold in expressing encouragement toward the pair.
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During his career as a comic, Pandji admitted that social issues had been included as a stand-up topic. “There has been content about social politics and human rights,” he said. “So if I have to show that I take a side during this Jakarta gubernatorial election, then I’ll do it.” (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)
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s a supporter and spokesman of Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pair Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno, Indonesian stand-up comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono has always been bold in expressing encouragement toward the pair. Pandji has been very vocal on his social media accounts, which include his official website (blog) and Twitter.
In his latest blog post, Satria Piningit, Pandji lashes out at those who criticized him for forgetting human rights issues following the release of a photo where Anies Baswedan posed alongside Tommy Soeharto, the youngest son of Indonesia’s former president Soeharto. The late president himself has a track record of alleged human rights abuses and corruption.
The photo garnered strong protests from Indonesian Twitter users. Some accusing Pandji for getting paid to write the post, while others condemned him for being forgetful of his 2012 blog post memBieber where he shot critics toward Soeharto and the New Order era.
Piye kabar idealismemu Le... Penak sama keluargaku toh? pic.twitter.com/gdhumkElLh
— jumandjih (@jumandjih) March 14, 2017
Jangan terlalu menganggap tinggi institusi. Yg penting bukan sekolah di mana. Tapi apa yg dilakukan semasa sekolah. Di manapun itu. https://t.co/2gf4g8NdFn
— Pandji Pragiwaksono (@pandji) March 20, 2017
Pikun nik pelawak. Kerjaan boleh ngelawak tp jg mati sebagai lawakan https://t.co/dvYu69AkPY
— banjirejekimall (@banjirejekimall) March 15, 2017
“Well, I retweeted and I liked [the criticism tweets],” said Pandji during the press conference of Stand-Up Comedy Indonesia (SUCI) 7 where he participated as one of the judges.
“It’s because what [the netizens] want is right, they actually don’t want us to be trapped in practices that happened in New Order era [again]. But one thing that we all have to know is what exactly the New Order is – does it end in Cendana [Soeharto’s clan]? […] That’s why I wrote [Satria Piningit].”
Pandji also said he does not mind people's strong opinions about him. “I think it’s fair if people criticize and have opinions about me because I’d also do the same," he said. "In fact, it wouldn’t be fair if I gave my critical opinion, but others weren’t allowed to do the same,” he explained. As the spokesperson of running mates Anies-Sandi, Pandji has been specifically assigned by Anies to gather and influence young voters.
During his career as a stand-up comedian, Pandji admitted that social issues had been his favorite topic. “There has been content about social politics and human rights,” he said. “So if I have to show that I take sides during this Jakarta gubernatorial election, then I’ll do it.”
Read also: Pandji speaks to masses in 'Juru Bicara'
Furthermore, Pandji is not afraid to be labeled as biased. “[I think] stand-up comedy will certainly take sides. The comics have to know their standpoint when they perform,” he added.
As for his forthcoming project, Pandji said he is in the process of writing a script for a drama comedy film. “Ernest [Prakasa, stand-up comedian] has taught me how to write it. Alhamdulillah (thank God) I have signed a contract with a production house,” he stated, adding that Ernest Prakasa’s Cek Toko Sebelah has inspired him to contribute to the movie industry.
Although the two are friends in the same circle, Ernest Prakasa has been known to be a supporter of Basuki “Ahok” Tjahja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat, the opposing candidate in Jakarta's gubernatorial election, and Pandji realizes their differences.
“Stand-up comedy is an art that needs open-mindedness. If you’re not open-minded, then it’s hard to be a comic,” he said. “And the open-mindedness has been important these days on the politic scene, and we (he and Ernest) have shown that, despite our differences, we’re mature enough to accept each other. We still hang out together.” (asw)
