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Analysis: Jokowi political dynasty: Kaesang hints at political ambitions
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The family of President Joko Widodo (right-left), Kahiyang Ayu, Bobby Nasution, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Kaesang Pangarep attended the Inauguration of the President and Vice President of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 period at the Nusantara Building, the Parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Sunday (10/20) / 2019). (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
K
aesang Pangarep, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s youngest son, is planning to embark on a political career, following in the footsteps of his father, older brother Gibran Rakabuming Raka and brother-in-law Bobby Nasution. With the revelation of Kaesang’s political ambitions, allegations into Jokowi’s attempt to build a political dynasty is once again in the spotlight.
Kaesang is known for his range of businesses in the food and beverage (F&B) industry, with many established together with Gibran, such as Markobar, Chili Pari, Mangkokku and Sang Pisang, which remains Kaesang’s largest business to date. In addition, Kaesang is also listed as the coowner of football club Persis Solo along with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir.
Adding to his status as the President’s son, Kaesang also holds a strong digital presence. His active social media activities across Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, where he every so often gives a sneak peek into the daily life of Jokowi and responds to netizens’ comments, have garnered him millions of followers.
According to Gibran, Jokowi’s eldest son and incumbent Surakarta mayor, Kaesang revealed his political ambitions to the family over dinner at Jokowi’s private residence in Surakarta. Kaesang is said to be eyeing for a position at a regional office. When asked specifically whether his younger brother planned to run for Surakarta mayor, Gibran said he had no clue. Furthermore, Gibran revealed that despite his political ambitions, Kaesang was still exploring his options, having also asked Jokowi for his opinion regarding the matter.
In response to Kaesang’s interest in entering politics, Jokowi was reportedly surprised, despite giving his children the freedom to choose a career in a politics. He had emphasized that any of his children’s decisions concerning politics were not his to take as he did not look to influence and interfere in their choices. Jokowi’s words were repeated by Gibran, who was also surprised at Kaesang’s shifting interest. According to Gibran, he gave Kaesang the freedom to choose whichever regional head contest he wanted to follow.
With Kaesang hinting at his political ambitions, a number of political parties have openly expressed their interest and readiness to welcome him. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), in which Gibran and Jokowi are members, is said to be ready to support Kaesang’s entry into politics as long as his intention is to build the nation. Gibran noted that he did not mind whether Kaesang chose to join a political party other than the PDI-P. However, PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto mentioned earlier that the party had a rule that within one family, there cannot be members that are a part of different political parties.
Another political party said to support Kaesang is the Gerindra Party. The party’s spokesperson Budisatrio Djiwandono said that the party would always support young people, such as Kaesang, who wished to enter politics and fight together for the people of Indonesia. The same can be said for the NasDem Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), who also welcomed Kaesang’s political ambitions by emphasizing the role of young people in politics. However, PKS central executive board head Mardani Ali Sera mentioned that for Kaesang, the principle of justice must be applied as a president’s son had privileges that other youths did not have.
