Assessing Gibran Rakabuming Raka Through His First Speech

Gibran Rakabumin Raka delivered his first political speech at the Indonesia Arena, Senayan on October 25, 2023. (VOI/Nailin In Saroh)

JAKARTA - Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka is still the trending topic. President Joko Widodo's eldest son on Wednesday (25/10/2023) received positive comments.

Gibran delivered a political speech for the first time since he was appointed as a vice presidential candidate from the Advanced Indonesia Coalition (KIM). He will accompany presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 Presidential Election (Pilpres).

In front of his supporters, Gibran conveyed a number of programs that will be run if he is elected as Vice President Prabowo next year. As Prabowo said before cooperating with himself, Gibran said it was necessary to continue the ongoing program.

"We all believe that the programs that have been running have brought Indonesia to the gate of progress," said Gibran at the Indonesia Arena GBK, Jakarta on October 25, 2023, before registering with the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Not only the substance in Gibran's speech, the way Jokowi's eldest son conveyed it attracted public attention. Standing for the first time as Prabowo's Vice Presidential Candidate, Gibran showed off through his style of being considered brave, full of enthusiasm, but still charismatic. Many observers who considered Gibran's speech style very similar to Jokowi's speech style nine years ago, when he was first appointed as a presidential candidate from PDIP.

Gibran pointed out that a different person, having previously, perhaps for most Gibran people, was a quiet and less authoritative figure.

"People have so far seen Gibran as being quiet, not talking much, stiff, but on this stage I see Gibran who is a bit different. More relaxed, talk more, regardless of whether it has been prepared or not," said political analyst Muhammad Qadari.

"My guess is that so far Gibran has actually held back a lot. First, because his situation and conditions have not allowed him to speak freely, especially political themes, talking about presidential candidates. Previously, Gibran was Gibran who stepped on the brakes, Gibran after this was Gibran who stepped on the gas," Qadari added.

Another political observer, Hanta Yuda, said the same thing. He said that the speech delivered by Gibran could reduce public doubts about his abilities.

So far, Gibran is considered not commensurate when compared to the Vice President Candidates from Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan, Mahfud MD and Muhaimin Iskandar. But after speaking in front of his supporters, Gibran began to prove his worth.

"What's interesting is that from the start I conveyed from the perspective of Mr. Ganjar and Mr. Anies had a vice presidential candidate whose strength was from experience, and this could be Mas Gibran's weakness," said Hanta.

"But today Gibran shows he can keep up with it. Gibran shows that he can also be relied on, he is able to offer several programs and issues," he added.

One of Gibran's words that also caught the eye was when he opened his speech saying, "Just relax Mr. Prabowo, I'm here".

Political observer from Al Azhar University Indonesia, Andriadi Achmad said Gibran's statement confirmed his certainty to accompany Prabowo.

Previously, Prabowo and KIM had to wait for the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) to propose to Gibran. Previously, Gibran was not qualified because of the Constitutional Court limiting the minimum age of 40 years for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. However, Gibran was confirmed to run after an additional phrase was allowed to nominate as a presidential or vice presidential candidate as long as he had experience in elections including Pilkada.

"That means that I am already beside Pak Prabowo, because all this time or before the Constitutional Court's decision it was between yes and no," Andriadi told VOI.

"Gibran must take this opportunity. This is an opportunity that doesn't come twice," he added.

In another content, Director of Indonesian Political Parameters Adi Prayitno tries to guess the meaning of the sentence spoken by Gibran. First, Gibran gave certainty about himself really advancing in 2024, after the seriousness of the Mayor of Surakarta was questioned.

The second meaning is Gibran's statement as a sign of his confidence in bringing Prabowo to victory next year.

First, as a guarantee that Gibran is ready to side by side with Prabowo in the 2024 presidential election. Because previously there was speculation that Gibran would not advance because he was not present at the announcement as Prabowo's Vice Presidential Candidate," said Adi.

"Second, it can also be interpreted as a form of Gibran's confidence to'regar Prabowo's victory' in 2024. Because so far Gibran is considered still green in politics. With that statement, Gibran wants to convince Prabowo can win in 2024. Whatever the title, Gibran is Jokowi's political replica," Adi explained.