TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dear Readers,

President Joko Widodo’s intervention in the 2024 presidential election have gone too far. Not only is he directing support toward a particular candidate, there are also indications that he is pushing for his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to be a vice president candidate. Jokowi wants Gibran to become Prabowo Subianto’s running mate.

Jokowi and Prabowo Subianto have been political rivals in two presidential elections, dividing Indonesian society into their respective camps. Even on social media, the supporters of both sides are known by derogatory animal-related nicknames, with ‘Kampret’ (bat) used for Prabowo’s supporters and ‘Cebong’ (tadpole) for Jokowi's supporters.

During his second term, Jokowi appointed Prabowo Subianto as the Minister of Defense. Now, he wants Prabowo Subianto to be his successor. However, there is an obstacle as Gibran Rakabuming is hindered by the General Elections Law, which sets the minimum age for a vice-presidential candidate at 40, while Gibran is only 36.

Luckily, Jokowi has the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) on his side. Gibran’s younger brother, Kaesang Pangarep, now serves as the Chairman of PSI. This party has filed a lawsuit against the General Elections Law regarding the age limit to the Constitutional Court. In the Constitutional Court, there is Anwar Usman, Jokowi’s brother-in-law because he married Jokowi’s sister in 2022. The Constitutional Court’s decision on the age limit for vice-presidential candidates will be announced on October 16.

So far, Jokowi’s ambition seems to be progressing smoothly. His efforts to establish a political dynasty have received the support of state apparatus and remain within legal boundaries. Moreover, if Prabowo Subianto is elected but unable to continue due to age, Gibran will immediately become president without waiting for the 2029 election.

You might be frustrated reading about this unethical political maneuver. But out there, several groups of volunteers are ready to support Jokowi’s wishes. They are prepared to win for Prabowo Subianto if Gibran becomes his running mate.

The election is still six months away. Will J okowi succeed in his efforts? Will Indonesia enter an era of political dynasties?

Apart from these unsettling political maneuvers, we have also written other stories that are more interesting, although not entirely encouraging. There is a misunderstanding in the implementation of restorative justice by the police that harms rape victims. Another article tells the losses suffered by Indofarma due to the Covid-19 pandemic supplies. While the pharmaceutical industry reaped massive profits during the pandemic, Indofarma, on the other hand, incurred significant losses.

Happy reading,

Bagja Hidayat

Executive Editor

Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s Bid as Vice-Presidential Candidate

Prabowo Subianto will almost certainly choose Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his vice-presidential running mate. Jokowi supports a Prabowo-Gibran ticket.

Constitutional Court’s Verdict

The Constitutional Court reportedly already made a decision in favor of a lawsuit regarding the minimum age requirement for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The issue is rife with conflicts of interest.

The Prabowo-Gibran Ticket

A number of volunteers are pushing for a Prabowo-Gibran presidential bid. They are hoping that a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court regarding age requirements for candidates will be decided in their favor.

The Constitutional Court

Jimly Asshiddiqie on issues ranging from public distrust in the Constitutional Court to the petition for review of the age limit of vice-presidential candidates.