What Are You After, Jokowi?

March 17, 2026 | 02:18 pm

Jokowi is attempting to maintain his presence on the political stage, capitalizing on the public’s infatuation with celebrities.

JOKO Widodo, who was President of Indonesia from 2014 to 2024, seems determined to retain his political sway. For the seventh president, 10 years at the pinnacle of power is seemingly not enough. As has often been the case, he has forgotten his own pledge to return to being an “ordinary citizen” after leaving office.

At his residence in Solo, Central Java, Jokowi receives dozens to hundreds of visitors daily. Regional leaders and active ministers from Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet visit in turns. He also accepts invitations and delivers speeches at various forums and political party events. Documentation of Jokowi’s activities circulated across social media.

At first glance, Jokowi’s activities seem ordinary enough. However, he and his close associates are actually involved in putting together a campaign. He helps fund the production of souvenirs distributed to guests. A team carefully plans those visits to Jokowi’s home, covering the scheduling, guest flow, and even the posing for photographs. There are even buzzers offering travelers “tour packages” to Jokowi’s home.

For Jokowi, maintaining his online presence and image is a serious matter. Social media has become a powerful tool for enhancing his political image. He understands this well, having had years of experience leveraging various social media platforms to strengthen his public persona.

Jokowi is actually maintaining his gravitational pull on power. He realizes that the more frequently he appears online, the more netizens will perceive him as still having influence in power circles. With the help of social media algorithms and the workings of his influencers, he aims to build the perception of his continued presence on the political stage.

Prabowo is not the sole center of power. Jokowi wants to send a signal that he is still worthy of consideration and that his voice is still heard. He is presumably doing this to support his son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is currently vice president. 

Unlike Megawati Sukarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Jokowi does not belong to a political party. His youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, and some of his supporters can be found in the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). 

That party with the elephant logo has never garnered more than 5 million votes in two general elections. Meanwhile, Jokowi garnered 70 to 85 million votes when he won the presidential election. Jokowi nurtures that party’s unaccommodated supporters to help maintain his political legitimacy.

He also capitalized on the Indonesian public’s penchant for political celebrities. Figures who have personal appeal—in their appearance, speaking style, or background—are more likely to garner support. 

Our society tends to view leaders not as figures who must be skilled at managing policy, but rather as figures to be admired and, if necessary, revered. At this point, ideas and competence are overshadowed by popularity. 

It would be beautiful and elegant if Jokowi kept his promise at the end of his term: wanting to return to Solo and become an ordinary citizen.

Read the Complete Story in Tempo English Magazine

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