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Political dynasty in making? Jokowi's son, son-in-law eye mayoral posts in 2020

Second generation: Gibran Rakabuming Raka (right), the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, gets ready to give a press statement after submitting his Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) membership registration form at the PDI-P’s Surakarta office in Central Java on Monday

Ganug Nugroho Adi and Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta/Surakarta/Medan
Tue, September 24, 2019

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Political dynasty in making? Jokowi's son, son-in-law eye mayoral posts in 2020

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econd generation: Gibran Rakabuming Raka (right), the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, gets ready to give a press statement after submitting his Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) membership registration form at the PDI-P’s Surakarta office in Central Java on Monday.(Antara/Mohammad Ayudha)

When Joko "Jokowi" Widodo contested the presidential election in 2014, he was widely seen as an outsider taking on the nation’s big political dynasties. The furniture businessman beat the odds, riding on the wave of popularity as the nation was getting tired of being ruled by political dynasties.

But as Jokowi is about to begin his second term in office following a successful reelection bid in April, two members of the first family have indicated their intentions to enter politics.

The President’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 31, is expected to run for mayor in Surakarta, Central Java, the same job that launched his father’s political career in 2005. Son-in-law Bobby Nasution, 28, who is married to Jokowi’s daughter Kahiyang Ayu, is already making inquiries about the possibility of running for mayor of Medan in North Sumatra.

Both elections will take place next year, along with dozens of other local elections across the nation.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Gibran is also eyeing the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) as his political ride. The food entrepreneur registered to be a member of the ruling party on Monday.

Gibran did not deny that he was registering for PDI-P membership to become a candidate in the 2020 Surakarta mayoral election.

“According to the instructions of Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo, I am required to possess a KTA [party membership] card before registering as a candidate. I will then register at the Banjarsari branch in accordance with my domicile,” he told reporters.

Gibran and Jokowi were previously coy about the possibility of the family being involved in politics, arguing that the President’s children had set their eyes on the culinary sector. Both Gibran and youngest brother Kaesang Pangarep are entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry, having opened a branch of their respective brands in large cities across the country.

Jokowi’s three children have not shied away from the public eye, amassing a large following on social media. Gibran’s son Jan Ethes, Jokowi’s first grandchild, has accompanied his grandfather to several official events and is a frequent costar in the President’s YouTube videos.

Throughout Jokowi’s first term, there were no hints that his children would enter politics —until recently.

Rumors were widespread after a public policy research team from Slamet Riyadi University released a survey report on the likely names that will run for Surakarta mayor for the 2020-2025 period. In addition to Gibran, Jokowi’s youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, was also mentioned in the report.

Gibran visited Hadi’s house last week to reportedly ask about how he could register as a candidate for the city’s mayoral election next year.

Hadi, who served as Jokowi’s deputy during the latter’s time as mayor, also heads the PDI-P Surakarta chapter. The party has been a political vehicle for Jokowi throughout his career, from his terms as mayor in 2005 and 2010, as Jakarta governor in 2012 and president in 2014 and this year.

Meanwhile, Bobby also drew public attention when he met with the Medan chapter of the National Democratic Party (NasDem) early this month, triggering speculations that he may contest the Medan mayoral election.

Bobby did not confirm or deny the rumor, saying that it had been a “light discussion”.

“I asked the board members about the functions and duties of a mayor,” the Medan native said recently.

He also hinted that his father-in-law had given him his blessing to run in the election.

"Bapak [Jokowi] always says the decision lies in his children's hands. The most important thing is to have faith and to work hard," he added.

NasDem North Sumatra regional board chairman Iskandar said the party sees Bobby as a potential candidate for Medan’s regional election the party may support. (bry)

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