Kugadaikan My Name Is For The Election: The Phenomenon Of Famous People Using Stage Names During The Legislative Election

Komedian Denny Wahyudi or Denny Cagur read the Pancasila text at the peak of Bung Karno's Month commemoration at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, Saturday (24/6/2023). (YouTube PDIP)

JAKARTA When mentioning the name Surya Utama, almost certainly not many people recognize the name. But, who doesn't know Uya Kuya?

A similar case was also experienced by former vocalist Dewa 19, Once Mekel. The owner's real name Ellfonda Mekel is more popular with her stage name, Once, which is a small nickname of her artist's brother.

The two artists who recently decided to enter politics decided to propose a temporary name change in the race for seats in Senayan in the 2024 General Election, even though the party was different.

My name in the birth certificate is Ellfonda Mekel, but since childhood I was called Once Mekel. For this legislative election I submitted a temporary replacement to the court, "said Once to VOI via text message.

Using a famous name in political contestation is actually not new. Apart from these two names, there are many other names who also choose to take off their real names while fighting in political contestation.

Denny Cagur, for example, also left his real name, Denny Wahyudi, to fight in the West Java II electoral district from PDIP. Likewise with Ritchi Ismail, the real name of Syahnaz Sadidah's husband. He added that Jeje is his first name so that voters from the West Java II electoral district are better known. This politician from PAN does have the stage name Jeje Govinda.

In addition, there are also Alfiansyah, this comedian with the stage name Komeng is known to have proposed a name change and was ratified by the Panel of Judges at the Cibinong District Court. He openly admitted that the name change was carried out to smooth his steps as a candidate for DPD from West Java.

However, this 53-year-old comedian insists that he does not have more expectations to choose from. Komeng admits that he just wants people to know that Alfiansyah Bustami and Komeng are the same people.

"I want to be selected Alhamdulillah, like it or not, thank God. That's what I want, people know Alfiansyah Bustami and Komeng are the same, when it comes to that name," said Komeng.

But there are also Indonesian artists who continue to use their real names on the list of permanent candidates for the DPR General Election Commission (KPU). It is Siti Tuti Susilawati, a member of the Perindo Party who will run from the West Java II electoral district. She still uses her real name even though the majority of Indonesians know her better by the name Sania.

According to criminal law observer Masykur Isnan, changing temporary names such as for election interests is common in Indonesia, and does not violate the law.

The use of stage names in political contestation is interesting. This is to attract the voices of the people. And, legally the use of names or stage names is okay," said Masykur Isnan to VOI.

Contacted separately, sociologist from the University of Indonesia Riki Ricardi said the phenomenon of changing names does not only occur among artists and in the Election era alone. Name change has occurred tens or even hundreds of years ago, as is common in Indonesian society.

"For example, the tradition of name in Java, which is then associated with hockey. Usually parents change their name because they don't want to be unlucky, for example," Riki said while talking to VOI.

Riki added that the current concept of name change is also mixed with an external culture. According to Riki, a brand or brand is a brand, thus creating imagination among the audience or society.

This brand concept is certainly different from the concept of naming parents in ancient times. For most people, especially in the world, celebrities changed their real name to a stage name to attract public attention more.

This name change is also related to coaching. He, a person who changed his name, certainly wants to attract attention, wants to be known. For example, Jono's name, which is considered to be left behind, was replaced with a more contemporary June," added Riki.

When talking about the world of art, name change is usually done because he wants to adapt to the listener, with the audience.

By using this more well-known name in society, artists hope to be able to catch more people. Moreover, on the election paper there are no photos of DPR RI members, but only the names of legislative candidates.

The names used are usually easy to remember, attractive, or names that are bombastic. It's even usually for artists to change names to do researchter first or do market analysis," concluded Riki.

However, the name change made by most public figures does not always have a positive impact on the fight in the political arena. Not a few of the artists who failed to sit in Senayan despite changing their names during the election. Call it Ian Kasela, the vocalist of the band Radja who failed to win to become a member of the DPR RI for the 2019-2024 period from PDIP.