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Who is post-debate social media star Thomas Lembong?
The name of the former investment banker, presidential speechwriter and trade minister is on everyone's digital lips as economist Thomas Lembong, cocaptain of the Anies-Muhaimin campaign, becomes the latest buzz after an ill-timed name-dropping during the final vice presidential debate on Sunday.
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Economist Thomas Trikasih Lembong, then-chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), discusses foreign investments on Feb. 20, 2017 during a visit to The Jakarta Post. (JP/Donny Fernando)
His name was mentioned in passing only twice during the fourth election debate on Sunday, but Thomas Lembong’s presence has reverberated long after the vice presidential candidates wrapped up.
Analysts have observed that the second and final vice presidential debate on Jan. 21 between Muhaimin Iskandar, Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Mahfud MD was filled with personal attacks rather arguments on the pros and cons of the candidates’ policies on energy, natural resources and agrarian reform.
On one occasion, Gibran put forth an aggressive defense against both his rivals in response to Muhaimin’s statement about him: “Maybe Gus [brother] Muhaimin also didn’t understand the question he asked me. Maybe he got a cheat sheet from Tom Lembong.”
Prabowo’s running mate, Surakarta mayor and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s eldest son was referring to the famed economist and now cocaptain of the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin campaign team.
Though he may have intended to make a dig at Muhaimin, Gibran’s name-dropping Thomas triggered criticisms against both him and his father, with many Anies-Muhaimin supporters pointing out that the economist served as the President’s speechwriter for several international events.
A former cabinet minister during the President’s first term, Thomas had been a close associate since Jokowi’s tenure as Jakarta governor in 2012-2014.
“Maybe someone is missing Tom,” Anies quipped on Monday during a campaign event in Bekasi regency, West Java, as quoted by kompas.com.
