The Increase In Erick Thohir's Exposure Since Being Elected As PSSI General Chair

The Minister of SOEs and the General Chair of PSSI, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA - Two leaders of the mass media in Indonesia, namely the Editor-in-Chief of SCTV Retno Pinasti and the CEO of the Merdeka People Group Kiki Iswara, agreed that the level of emergence (exposURE) and public preference for Erick Thohir had increased in recent months. Especially after Erick was elected as Chairman of PSSI.

This was conveyed by Retno and Kiki when they were the responders in the release of the latest survey results by the Indonesian Political Indicators who photographed the electoral dynamics of presidential candidates (candidates) and public-elected vice presidential candidates, Sunday, March 26.

One of the survey results found that Erick Thohir's name had shot sharply in the last two months for the position of vice president, especially in the simulation of five names.

The name Erick Thohir, who originally received 12.9 percent in November 2022, increased significantly by 13.2 percent and 17.6 percent in February 2023, respectively.

In the simulation of 7 names, Ridwan Kamil and Sandiaga Uno, who were originally above Erick, were thrown away from competition in the 5-name simulation because their electability decreased. So, practically only Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono competed closely with Erick Thohir with only 3 percent difference.

According to Retno Pinasti, in terms of appearing in the mass media, Erick Thohir's name did appear a lot in the media from February to March 2023, after Erick announced that he would run until he was elected as PSSI General Chair. In addition, there was support from celebrities for Erick which made him viral in the media.

"This is all a series of events that raised Erick Thohir's exposure on mass media and social media during the survey period conducted by IPI," said Retno.

Retno added, in television media, audiences for sports news are more than public news. Especially for Erick, if previously Erick only appeared in the news program because of his position as Minister of SOEs, now he is also included in sports shows.

"Once the live broadcast of the national team match, the rating immediately reached 10.2 percent. If converted to the number of spectators, it reached almost 5 million people," said Retno.

Not to mention the league one match which is converted by live broadcast audiences in the range of 2.5 million people.

"Of course this greatly contributes to boosting popularity. Erick benefits without waiting for momentum or creating certain gimmicks," said Retno.

Retno added that the closeness of the world of sports to politics is everywhere, not only in Indonesia. Retno gave an example of former AC Milan player George Weah who became President of Liberia, and Pele who was about to run as a candidate for president of Brazil.

"Olahraga, if held properly, according to international standards, will bring a positive connotation spirit because of the thick elements of heroism, glory, and pride of a nation," added Retno.

The CEO of the Merdeka People's Association, Kiki Iswara, said that the level of public preference for Erick Thohir continues to increase.

"Engagement for the vice president is quite high among millennials for Erick after serving as chairman of PSSI," said Kiki.

He gave an example, his party had visited schools in Jakarta and found that the level of introduction of high school students to Erick Thohir was quite high.

In a survey of Political Indicators conducted twice on 9-16 February 2023 (involving 1,220 respondents) and 12-18 March 2023 with 800 respondents, Erick Thohir's name shot sharply in the last two months for the vice presidential position, especially in a five-name simulation.

The name Erick Thohir, who originally received 12.9 percent in November 2022, increased significantly by 13.2 percent and 17.6 percent in February 2023, respectively.

In the simulation of 7 names, Ridwan Kamil and Sandiaga Uno, who were originally above Erick, were thrown away from competition in the 5-name simulation because their electability decreased. So, practically only Agus Harimurti Yudhoyo competed closely with Erick Thohir with only 3 percent difference.

"Basis support for the vice presidential candidate, only Erick Thohir has made the biggest progress. When there was a major decline in Ridwan Kamil, support for Erick Thohir increased the most, while other candidates did not change much," said Executive Director of Indonesian Political Indicators Burhanuddin Muhtadi.