For Nafis Athallah, an 18-year-old first-time voter, the election unfolds outdoors. His social media timeline is now filled with campaign videos, fan art dedicated to candidates, and a flood of opinions. Banners adorn the streets, sidewalks, and possibly residences.
Nafis, hailing from Medan, North Sumatra, emphasizes the significance of the younger demographic in the upcoming February 14 election. With younger individuals constituting half of the voting populace, he acknowledges their substantial influence.
In Indonesia, the third-largest democracy globally, individuals under 40 represent 52% of the electorate, with one-third being under 30. The competition to capture this pivotal demographic’s support intensifies.
Apart from selecting a new leader this month, voters will also elect executive and legislative members at various administrative levels nationwide. Current polls indicate that Prabowo Subianto, a former military leader who previously lost to Joko Widodo in 2014 and 2019, leads the race. However, the certainty of his ability to secure a majority of seats remains uncertain. In the event of a shortfall, the top contenders will engage in a runoff in June, with former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo challenging him.
Researcher Noory Okthariza from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies notes that no single candidate has a strong association with the youth vote. Instead, support from young voters appears to be dispersed among the candidates. Candidates are leveraging various tactics, including their manner of speech, behavior, attire, and engagement on platforms like TikTok, to connect with these younger voters.
Parties and candidates are resorting to diverse strategies, from distributing K-pop concert tickets to meticulously curating their social media content with cats and popular dances.
Nafis, a communication studies student, values the defense of civil liberties and criticizes the potential misuse of Indonesia’s broad laws to curb freedom of expression.
He mentions that some of his friends lean towards Jokowi, citing their belief that a leader with a firm demeanor like Prabowo could enhance Indonesia’s safety and prosperity.
Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces chief, faces controversy due to persistent allegations of past human rights violations. Despite accusations of involvement in incidents such as the kidnapping of student activists in the late 1990s and rights abuses in East Timor and Papua, he denies any wrongdoing or criminal charges.
In a bid to sway voters, Prabowo, known for his fiery temperament, underwent a sudden transformation in his campaign persona. He now portrays himself as a more composed elderly figure, engaging in jovial dances on stage.
Jokowi, running for the presidency alongside vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of the incumbent president Joko Widodo, aims to leverage the popularity and political influence of the current leader.
Tete, a 19-year-old first-time voter from Wonosobo in Central Java, follows Prabowo on Instagram and admires his work ethic, viewing his videos as evidence of dedication and public accountability. Tete appreciates Prabowo’s humble demeanor and finds his dancing endearing, believing that Prabowo’s leadership could continue the infrastructural advancements initiated by Jokowi.
Tete highlights the positive impact of these initiatives, citing the reduced travel time between Yogyakarta and Jakarta due to a new bridge, which has shortened the journey from 12 to 8 hours.
While many advocate for Jokowi’s extended tenure, Tete expresses a desire for the continuation of his administration’s projects.
Charliensia Hankssasar Pandanga, a 22-year-old third-year American literature student residing in Bali, advocates for increased infrastructure funding, particularly in rural areas. She emphasizes the importance of equitable development beyond major urban centers to address disparities across regions.
Charliensia, who recently experienced a significant increase in flight costs, underscores the need for improved accessibility and affordability in transportation infrastructure, especially for remote locations.
She aspires to enhance the quality of education in her region, aiming to become an American literature teacher. Charliensia anticipates that addressing educational challenges will be a priority for the future government, emphasizing the urgency of improving literacy levels among students.
Younger citizens, as per the Center for Strategic and International Studies, are increasingly concerned about climate change, environmental issues, unemployment, and job prospects.
Rafaela Xaviera, a 24-year-old economic activist from Jakarta, criticizes the lack of substantial commitments and solutions in political debates regarding climate-related challenges. She warns against superficial solutions that fail to address the root causes and may exacerbate future environmental crises.
She expresses skepticism towards relocation plans, such as moving the capital city to Borneo, emphasizing the potential negative impact on Kalimantan’s environment and local communities.
Mario Yosryandi, a 23-year-old human rights activist and independent writer from East Nusa Tenggara, voices concerns about economic disparities, climate issues, political rights, and national debt. While initially supporting Jokowi, Mario has grown disillusioned with the president’s governance and raises ethical objections to the involvement of Jokowi’s family members in politics.
He questions the moral implications of allowing Jokowi’s son to run for vice president, highlighting the privilege and nepotism prevalent in Indonesian politics.
