In 2014, as Joko Widodo—better known as Jokowi—was inaugurated as the President of Indonesia, his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, sat reluctantly among the dignitaries. At 27, Gibran had little interest in the political limelight, preferring a life of entrepreneurship over public office. He openly disagreed with his father’s entry into politics, attending the ceremony only at the insistence of his paternal grandmother. Yet, ten years later, Gibran is set to be inaugurated as the vice president of Indonesia, serving under Prabowo Subianto, the retired general who succeeded Jokowi as president.
This political rise of Gibran, once an outsider to politics, was anything but accidental. It was, in fact, part of a calculated plan orchestrated by his father. As Jokowi neared the end of his presidency, his efforts to maintain political influence through his son became evident, drawing attention from political observers and critics alike. While Gibran’s ascent to the second-highest office in the land has been remarkable, it has also sparked controversy, as questions linger over his qualifications, political ambition, and the legacy his father seeks to secure.
Jokowi’s Ambition and Gibran’s Reluctance
From the start of his presidency, Jokowi had a clear vision of governance. He emerged as a populist leader, praised for his humble beginnings as the son of a small-scale timber seller with no prior connections to Indonesia’s political elite. His rise to power was seen as a victory for ordinary Indonesians over entrenched political dynasties. However, as his second and final term approached its conclusion, Jokowi began contemplating his post-presidential life. The prospect of retiring quietly seemed improbable for a man who had become accustomed to wielding power and influence on a national scale.
Jokowi’s predecessors had found ways to maintain relevance after leaving office. Former president Megawati Sukarnoputri continued to exert power as the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and Prabowo Subianto built political capital through alliances. But Jokowi had no such political machinery of his own. Without an active party apparatus to lead, the outgoing president looked toward his family, and specifically his eldest son, as a way to extend his political influence.
Initially, Gibran was reluctant to follow in his father’s footsteps. When Jokowi urged him to run for mayor of their hometown, Solo, a city of 500,000 in Central Java, Gibran was uninterested. He was busy managing several successful food-related businesses, including a pancake shop. His business acumen had kept him away from the political spotlight, and he preferred it that way. Several close aides described Gibran as “unambitious” and “a bit of a loner.”
But Jokowi persisted, eventually convincing Gibran that politics could be another form of public service, one that would allow him to continue the family legacy. Encouraged by the political rise of his brother-in-law Bobby Nasution, who had become mayor of Medan, Gibran finally agreed to run for mayor of Solo in 2019 under the banner of the PDI-P. His victory in that election marked the beginning of his political journey, though it also hinted at the influence Jokowi was attempting to wield beyond his presidential term.
Navigating Political Alliances and the Break with PDI-P
Jokowi’s relationship with PDI-P had always been strategic, but it began to sour in 2023 when party chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri refused to support efforts to extend Jokowi’s term in office. For Jokowi, this refusal underscored a limitation: despite his popularity, he was not in control of the political party that had helped him rise to power. As the PDI-P prepared to announce its presidential nominee for 2024, Jokowi realized that he would not have significant influence over the candidate selection. This prompted him to look for other political alliances.
By this time, Gibran had gained valuable experience as mayor of Solo, albeit with several missteps. While Jokowi had excelled at connecting with the people, Gibran struggled with communication. In one instance, he faced public backlash after distributing notebooks with his young son’s face on the cover to schoolchildren, fueling accusations of nepotism. Jokowi’s advisers had warned him about Gibran’s awkwardness in public communication, but the outgoing president believed that the mayoral role would prepare his son for higher office. Gibran’s performance in debates and his growing political presence eventually caught the attention of Prabowo Subianto, Jokowi’s former rival.
The Court Ruling and Gibran’s Vice Presidential Bid
Prabowo, who had been seeking the presidency for years after two losses to Jokowi, saw an opportunity in Gibran. In January 2023, Prabowo began reaching out to Jokowi’s son, floating the idea of a potential vice-presidential bid. At the time, however, Gibran was ineligible to run due to Indonesia’s constitutional age limit of 40 for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Gibran was only 37.
Then, in a controversial decision nine months later, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court ruled that an exception could be made to the age requirement, effectively allowing Gibran to run. The ruling raised eyebrows because the court’s chief justice, Anwar Usman, was Gibran’s uncle and Jokowi’s brother-in-law. Usman was later found guilty of ethical violations for presiding over the case despite having a clear conflict of interest, but the decision stood. Jokowi and Prabowo both denied having any role in influencing the court’s ruling, but the optics were damaging.
Before the ruling, Prabowo had courted Gibran persistently, reportedly asking him to be his running mate on multiple occasions. Gibran finally agreed after the third request, cementing a partnership that many viewed as a political marriage of convenience. Jokowi, still weighing his options, ultimately decided to support the Prabowo-Gibran ticket. This decision was critical to Prabowo’s electoral success, as Jokowi’s endorsement carried immense weight among voters.
Securing a Political Dynasty?
With Gibran poised to become Indonesia’s youngest vice president, Jokowi’s efforts to secure a political dynasty have become the subject of intense scrutiny. Critics argue that Gibran’s rapid rise—after just three years in public office—reflects a calculated strategy by Jokowi to safeguard his legacy, particularly the development of the new $32 billion capital city, Nusantara, which remains incomplete and fraught with challenges. Furthermore, the expansion of political roles within the Widodo family has not gone unnoticed. In August, public outcry forced lawmakers to retract a proposed law that would have allowed Jokowi’s youngest son, Kaesang, to run for Jakarta governor.
However, Gibran has garnered significant support from Indonesia’s younger voters, particularly Generation Z. His affinity for popular culture, as evidenced by the toys and collectible figurines that adorned his mayoral office, has endeared him to this demographic. Viral photos of Gibran packing up his office with these items in tow earned him admiration from young Indonesians who see him as relatable. According to political observers, Gibran’s appeal to Gen Z voters could be instrumental in shaping his political future.
The Future: A Lame Duck or a Rising Star?
As vice president, Gibran’s influence will largely depend on his relationship with Prabowo, who has a reputation for being a strong-willed leader. While some political analysts predict that Gibran may be a “lame duck,” others believe he could carve out his own path, particularly if tasked with overseeing major initiatives such as the digitization of the economy or the development of Nusantara. The next few years will determine whether Gibran remains in the shadow of his father or emerges as a political force in his own right.
For now, Gibran’s rise to the vice presidency symbolizes the continuation of Jokowi’s legacy, one that blends populism, pragmatism, and family loyalty. Whether it will endure beyond Jokowi’s influence remains to be seen.
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