The Political Magnet Of The Vice President Is Gibran Rakabuming Raka

JAKARTA - The name Gibran Rakabuming Raka has suddenly become a topic of discussion in the political world lately. Not because of his position as the son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) or Mayor of Solo, but is referred to as the most potential vice presidential candidate (cawapres) in the 2024 presidential election (pilpres).

The first time the name of Jokowi's eldest son was mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate was raised by Prabowo Subianto. To be precise, when the general chairman of the Gerindra Party met with Jokowi-Gibran volunteers in Solo, Friday (19/5). Prabowo's arrival, who was accompanied by Gibran when he met Jokowi's volunteers, immediately sparked speculation that Gibran would be proposed by Prabowo.

Although both of them were reluctant to respond to the issue of presidential and vice presidential candidates, Prabowo's meeting with Jokowi volunteers on Friday (9/8) gave strong instructions regarding Gibran's position. At that time, Prabowo revealed that Gibran's name was indeed taken into account as a candidate for vice president.

"Gibran is one of the figures that we consider to be a vice presidential candidate," said Prabowo.

Gibran's potential as a prospective vice presidential candidate can also be seen from the survey results of the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) released in July 2023. Gibran is in sixth position with an electability of 7.6 percent in the simulation of 24 semi-open vice presidential names.

Although still below Erick Thohir with 14.3 percent, Ridwan Kamil 13.5 percent, Mahfud MD 9.9 percent, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) 9.5 percent, and Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno 8.9 percent, Gibran was able to achieve electability of 33.9 percent if paired with Prabowo. This figure is no different from the Ganjar-Sandiaga pair who received 35.1 percent of the votes, and Anies-Yenny Wahid in the last position with 18.2 percent.

The brightness of Gibran's electability as a vice presidential candidate has also teased the PDI-P. The chairman of the PDI-P DPP, Puan Maharani, revealed that her party will open up opportunities for the Mayor of Solo to become a vice presidential candidate to accompany Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 presidential election. This can be realized if the Constitutional Court grants the vice presidential age lawsuit to a minimum of 35 years.

"We are watching this, if indeed in the Constitutional Court it is then approved that there is a candidate for vice president under 40 years old, then Mas Gibran could be advanced," said Puan.

Yes, the age limit as a vice presidential candidate is indeed a probing if there is a presidential candidate who intends to propose Gibran in the 2024 presidential election contestation. Article 169 letter q of Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections limits the minimum age for a presidential and vice presidential candidate to 40 years.

This article itself is being tested for material at the Constitutional Court. Applicants in case number 29/PUU-XXI/2023 are the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) as applicant I and a number of Indonesian citizens, namely Anthony Winza Probowo (Permohon II), Danik Eka Rahmaningtyas (Permohon III), Dedek Prayudi (Pemohon IV), and Mikhail Gorbachev (Pemohon V). The petitioners requested that the minimum age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates be 35 years old.

Despite the controversy over the matter test on the minimum age limit of a presidential and vice presidential candidate, the current figure of Gibran is indeed like a magnet ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Political observer Hendri Satrio assesses that if the Constitutional Court grants a lawsuit for the judicial review of the presidential and vice presidential age limit, then Jokowi's eldest son will be a fight for the Prabowo and Ganjar camps.

According to him, there is a possibility that the PDI-P and Ganjar Pranowo will immediately move quickly to be able to make GIbran a companion. On the other hand, Prabowo Subianto is predicted to take similar steps to collaborate with Gibran.

However, there are other possibilities, especially related to Jokowi's figure, which has always been based on imagery. Hensat suspects that this will make the Constitutional Court reject the judicial review lawsuit. Because, Jokowi will always think about his image in society when he wants to make anything.

"This condition will make the Constitutional Court in the end refuse because it resulted in accusations to Jokowi that the president was fussy about the presidential and vice presidential candidates," he said.

Hensat admitted that he had recently heard rumors that Prabowo might be paired with Gibran. If this happens, he argues, Jokowi's chances of becoming the General Chair of the Gerindra Party will open up. "The possibility is that if the above is realized, then Jokowi will become the General Chair of Gerindra," he added.

Political observer Burhanuddin Muhtadi has his own view of why Gibran has become a political magnet. He explained that as president, Jokowi has limitations in endorsing presidential candidates.

"Therefore, a figure is sought that can be interpreted as an endorsement of Jokowi. And Jokowi's most suitable figure or proxy is Gibran," he said.

In addition, it has not existed in history since the reform era where before the end of the second term of office, a president is still very popular in various surveys. Whereas generally in Indonesia, a president will slope his popularity before his term ends.

Jokowi is actually an anomaly because it is higher in the second period. This makes Jokowi's endorsement effect high. The problem is that not everyone can have access to Jokowi, so Gibran's figure becomes a political magnet for current presidential candidates," said Burhan.

A VOI source said Jokowi's political machine was first placed with the Gerindra Party and the second was given to his first son.

"Earlier there were three presidential candidates prepared by Jokowi, Prabowo, Ganjar and Erick Thohir. Now that the first one is open to the presidential candidate, the other tactical is in his first son. Unfortunately, it was collided with by law. If the Constitutional Court can be issued, Gibran could be the main magnet of Jokowi's political machine, otherwise it would be Gibran's political dance to become the Governor of DKI," he said.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka himself when interviewed was reluctant to comment much on the offer of a potential vice presidential candidate from the presidential candidates given by Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo. Gibran said that currently he is only trying to maintain communication with all his seniors in the world of politics.

"I don't feel pulled. Currently I'm just trying to maintain closeness with everyone, trying to maintain good communication, Mr. Prabowo, Mr. Ganjar and also Mr. Anies. I only emphasize that my activities in the political world so far have nothing to do with it or represent my father," said Gibran Rakabuming.

Gibran admits that currently he is more often active with Ganjar Pranowo. Gibran reasoned that the activity was caused by Ganjar Pranowo as Governor in Central Java and he as Mayor of Solo.

"I will definitely welcome anyone who comes to Solo. Although at this time the closeness in my activities is indeed closer to Pak Ganjar Pranowo. But it's only a job," said Gibran Rakabuming.

Gibran also did not object and looked different when discussing the presidential candidate from the Anies Baswedan Change Coalition. The first son of President Jokowi was seen smiling more when discussing Anies.

"I also ate with Mr. Anies when I came to Solo. Until I was asked by the volunteers why do you want to eat with Anies, I said why not? The question was reversed, Mr. Anies likes not to eat with me," said Gibran Rakabuming with a smile.

Gibran invites all young people from millennials to gen z not to be afraid of politics. The man wearing a jacket with a white shirt in it said that young Indonesians, especially those who are still in high school or have just graduated from school, have voting rights and are asked not to get involved.

"Indonesian youth today should not be afraid of political dictions so that they take the step of a goal. I hope that all young Indonesians can use their voting rights honestly and fairly without fear," he said.

Regarding the oblique accusations of senior politician from PDIP Panda Nababan who mentioned Jokowi's first son as the son of RAwan, Gibran considered it a common thing in the world of politics. Even seemed Gibran enjoyed harsh criticism from Panda Nababan.

"We don't fight, it's a normal thing in the world of politics and he's a qualified senior in politics. I really respect him as a senior and I sat up with him when I met him, and he also gave me a very thick book. When evaluated, I was silent and listened well," said Gibran.

If the accusation of an old boy is considered as one of the political strategies to increase Gibran's popularity, he will respond very calmly.

"I accept the mention of being the little boy. He has more knowledge than me, so I am silent. There should be no need to be afraid of maneuvering my old man like me. And if this is to increase prestige, not really, before being insulted, my prestige has gone up," said Gibran Rakabuming Raka.