How Indonesia's outgoing Jokowi steered son Gibran to vice presidency | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 24, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
How Indonesia's outgoing Jokowi steered son Gibran to vice presidency

Asia

Reuters
15 October, 2024, 10:50 am
Last modified: 15 October, 2024, 11:00 am

Related News

  • 5 killed after Indonesian ferry catches fire; hundreds rescued
  • Dhaka to seek G2G coal import, investment in solar plants during CA’s visit to Jakarta
  • Indonesia says US trade deal reached after 'extraordinary struggle'
  • Trump sets 19% tariff on Indonesia goods in latest deal, EU readies retaliation
  • Indonesia volcano spews 18-kilometre ash tower: agency

How Indonesia's outgoing Jokowi steered son Gibran to vice presidency

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, then 27, had spent much of his life outside the limelight and "didn't agree with his father's decision to enter politics," said Andi Widjajanto, a former top adviser to Widodo. Gibran only showed up after his paternal grandmother twisted his arm

Reuters
15 October, 2024, 10:50 am
Last modified: 15 October, 2024, 11:00 am
Indonesia's Defence Minister and leading Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto talks to his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and current Surakarta's Mayor while delivering a speech in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 14, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
Indonesia's Defence Minister and leading Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto talks to his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and current Surakarta's Mayor while delivering a speech in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 14, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo

When Indonesian President Joko Widodo was first inaugurated in 2014, his eldest son didn't want to be there.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, then 27, had spent much of his life outside the limelight and "didn't agree with his father's decision to enter politics," said Andi Widjajanto, a former top adviser to Widodo. Gibran only showed up after his paternal grandmother twisted his arm.

On Oct. 20, the once-reluctant princeling will be at another inauguration ceremony - this time as the vice president of retired Gen. Prabowo Subianto, 72, who is succeeding his father as the leader of the nation of 280 million.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Reuters spoke to 15 people, including half a dozen senior government officials and political advisers who worked closely with Gibran, Prabowo and Widodo.

Six of them described how Widodo steered his introverted 37-year-old son into politics as part of an effort to maintain influence after leaving high office. Four also detailed how Prabowo began courting his former rival's son nine months before a court controversially adjusted the age of eligibility for office, allowing Gibran to run.

Many of the people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to media.

Spokespeople for the outgoing president, better known as Jokowi, as well as Gibran and Prabowo did not return requests for comment.

The vice president has few statutory powers, so Gibran's influence will depend on his relationship with Prabowo. Reuters could not determine what his responsibilities are likely to be but five people close to the president-elect said positions focused on digitising the economy, overseeing the new capital or Prabowo's flagship food program were being considered.

Gibran will be Indonesia's youngest vice president after serving just three years as mayor of a small city.

"People say that most likely he will be a lame duck," said Firman Noor, a political researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency government think-tank.

PANCAKES AND POLITICS

Political dynasties are not a new phenomenon in the world's third-largest democracy: Former president Megawati Sukarnoputri was the daughter of Indonesia's founding father and Prabowo was married to a daughter of the late dictator Suharto.

But Widodo's humble origins as the son of a small-scale timber seller and prior lack of ties to Indonesia's political establishment appealed to many voters and helped him win two presidential contests.

Until Gibran announced his mayoral run in 2019, Widodo's son was not actively engaged in politics. He was busy running food-related businesses, including one selling pancakes stuffed with chocolate and cheese.

By then, Widodo was well into his second term and constitutionally barred from seeking a third. He was also increasingly anxious about securing his power base outside the presidential palace, said six people with knowledge of the matter.

Allies of the popular Widodo previously floated the idea of a third term or term extension for him, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

Widodo's two predecessors continued to wield influence after leaving office by leading political parties, but he lacks a similar machine of his own.

The president started pushing his son to run for mayor of Solo, a town of 500,000.

Gibran was initially disinterested, said six people familiar with the matter, including Widjajanto, who remembered Gibran as "unambitious" and a "bit of a loner."

But Gibran warmed up, partly inspired by his brother-in-law Bobby Nasution, who was developing a prominent regional profile as mayor of another city, one of the people said. He ran and won as a candidate for the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), on whose ticket Widodo was elected for president.

Ties between Widodo and PDI-P broke down last year partly because party chairwoman Megawati refused Widodo's attempts to extend his time in office, said party secretary Hasto Kristiyanto. He also called Widodo's support for Gibran's vice presidency "indirectly... a way for him to extend his term."

The split led Widodo and his son into Prabowo's camp.

An inflection point came in April 2023, when Widodo was informed by Megawati of the party's presidential nominee just a day before the announcement. The president took it as an indication that he would not be able to influence the nominee later, five party members and advisors told Reuters.

CONNECTION WITH THE PEOPLE

Gibran doesn't have his father's skill with retail politics, said Firman Noor. "Jokowi has a connection with the people, but Gibran is awkward."

In June, Gibran apologised after giving out notebooks to children during a visit to a school with the face of his young son on the cover, prompting critics to joke that the child was next in line to run for office.

Widodo's advisors warned him in 2020 as Gibran was running for mayor about his poor communication style, according to two people familiar with the conversations.

Widodo acknowledged the concerns but believed the position, which he once held, was a good training ground for national politics, one person said.

One obstacle to the plan was F.X. Hadi Rudyatmo, PDI-P's Solo chief. He initially did not support the decision to nominate Gibran, Hasto Kristiyanto told Reuters.

In an effort to placate the official, Widodo offered him a deputy minister post, which he declined, Hasto said.

Hadi didn't respond to a request for comment.

The president also summoned his influential volunteer network Projo to help Gibran's campaign, said one person familiar with the efforts. Panel Barus, a senior official with the group, said that Projo acted on its own accord.

Gibran's defenders say he has improved as a political communicator. Most observers agree he performed well against two more experienced rivals during vice presidential television debates this year.

"He doesn't speak a lot, but he is a good listener," said former East Java deputy provincial governor Emil Dardak, part of the team that advised Gibran. "He listens and digests and then he makes a decision."

THIRD TIME LUCKY

Determined to win the presidency after two consecutive losses to Widodo, Prabowo began turning to Gibran in January 2023, said two sources close to both politicians.

At that time, presidential and vice-presidential candidates had to be at least 40. But nine months later, the constitutional court created an exception to the age limit, enabling Gibran's candidacy.

The court's chief justice was Anwar Usman - Gibran's uncle, and Widodo's brother-in-law. He was later found guilty of ethical violations for presiding over the case, in which he had a conflict of interest, but the ruling stood.

Spokespeople for Prabowo and Widodo denied involvement in the court's decision.

Even before the court ruling made Gibran eligible, presidential hopeful Prabowo was courting him as a running mate. Prabowo asked Gibran to be his running mate seven times, including once by letter, one of the people said, adding that Gibran agreed after the third request.

But Widodo, who had picked his former rival to be his defence minister, was still assessing who to support.

His uncle Setyawan Prasetyo urged him to step down gracefully instead of aligning with Prabowo, who was dismissed from the military in the 1990s amid allegations of rights abuses, two people said. The president-elect has always denied wrongdoing.

Prasetyo didn't respond to questions sent via the presidential palace.

Widodo's backing, which was crucial to Prabowo's victory, only came weeks before the registration deadline in October, two sources said.

In the final weeks of his presidency, Widodo faces intense criticism for what experts see as a bid to carve out a political dynasty that would protect his legacy, most notably a $32 billion new capital city plagued with troubles and still under construction.

In August, widespread national outcry forced lawmakers to retract a proposed law change that would have allowed Widodo's youngest son Kaesang to run for Jakarta governor.

But Gibran has found widespread popularity among Indonesia's Gen Z voters, who make up the bulk of the population, Reuters has previously reported.

Photos taken of Gibran packing up his mayoral office earlier this year went viral, with many posting comments about the toys and collectible figurines he had on display.

"Gen Z loves it," said Emil, the former Gibran advisor. "They look at him and think, 'this guy is me'."

World+Biz / Politics

Indonesia / Joko Widodo / Gibran Rakabuming Raka

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained
    Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained
  • Infographics: TBS
    Stay orders won’t shield defaulters: BB governor 
  • Infographics: TBS
    How state-owned Gazi Wires sinks into losses due to reliance on govt procurement

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • The Government Seal of Bangladesh
    Govt mulls allowing trade unions with 20 workers, industry leaders warn of disorder
  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA

Related News

  • 5 killed after Indonesian ferry catches fire; hundreds rescued
  • Dhaka to seek G2G coal import, investment in solar plants during CA’s visit to Jakarta
  • Indonesia says US trade deal reached after 'extraordinary struggle'
  • Trump sets 19% tariff on Indonesia goods in latest deal, EU readies retaliation
  • Indonesia volcano spews 18-kilometre ash tower: agency

Features

Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

9h | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Coca-Cola is launching a 'Trump version' made with cane sugar

Coca-Cola is launching a 'Trump version' made with cane sugar

56m | Others
ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

10h | TBS Today
13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

11h | TBS Today
Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

12h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net