Indonesian outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s sons, Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Kaesang Pangarep, have each become embroiled in scandals, threatening to derail their father’s carefully orchestrated plan to exit power with his legacy and influence intact after his presidential term ends on October 20.
Jokowi had meticulously designed a strategy to ensure Gibran’s success as the vice-presidential candidate alongside President-elect Prabowo Subianto, which would grant Jokowi protection and continued political influence after his tenure. However, the missteps of his sons have put Jokowi in a precarious position, leaving him vulnerable to public outrage and potential legal scrutiny into his family’s wealth—possibly derailing his well-laid plans for a smooth post-presidency transition.
It all began with young and energetic social media users scrutinizing the Instagram account of Kaesang’s wife, Erina Gudono. These Gen Z users discovered a series of photos and videos in Erina’s Instagram story, showing the couple traveling in a lavish private jet, enjoying IDR 400,000 bread for breakfast, and purchasing a stroller worth tens of millions of rupiah during a luxurious trip to the U.S. This quickly incited public outrage, as many back home were struggling to make ends meet—IDR 400,000 is an amount many Indonesians can live on for an entire month. People soon began accusing Kaesang of receiving kickbacks or political gratuities, suspecting that the trip, on a Gulfstream jet costing thousands of dollars per hour, was funded by businesspeople as a form of political favor.
In a dramatic twist, Vice President-elect Gibran is at the center of a separate scandal involving a covert social media account, known as “Fufufafa,” which allegedly insulted Prabowo and other high-profile figures. This too began when Gen Z users scrutinized Gibran’s old posts on his Kaskus account, linking this alternate identity to his more recent postings on X (formerly Twitter).
These twin scandals are more than just political hiccups—they have the potential to seriously damage the credibility of the Widodo family and tarnish Indonesia’s governance. They also highlight the growing influence of Indonesia’s digital generation, particularly Gen Z, in holding public figures accountable. The legal and political ramifications could be severe, casting doubt on the ability of Gibran and Kaesang to transition smoothly into political figures independent of their father.
Gibran’s “Fufufafa” Fiasco: A Political Time Bomb
The revelation that Gibran may have used an anonymous social media account to criticize his own running mate, Prabowo, is a ticking political time bomb. Prabowo, a former military general and political heavyweight, commands a fiercely loyal following, and these actions—if proven—could be seen as a betrayal. While the connection between Gibran and the “Fufufafa” account has not been definitively established, the evidence uncovered by Gen Z sleuths online is compelling.
The potential fallout could be catastrophic for Gibran’s political future, as Prabowo’s supporters are notoriously intolerant of personal attacks on their leader. If proven, the allegations could erode trust within the coalition and lead to public backlash, not only from Prabowo’s allies but also from nationalist and conservative factions. The scandal may also force Prabowo to confront Gibran publicly, a move that could shake the foundations of their fragile political alliance.
Kaesang’s Jet-Setting Lifestyle: A Legal Storm on the Horizon
While Gibran faces a political crisis, Kaesang’s predicament is potentially more legally hazardous. His use of a Gulfstream jet—costing upwards of $7,000 per hour for a US trip—has drawn intense scrutiny. Many are questioning how the trip was funded, with mounting accusations that businesspeople footed the bill as a form of political gratitude.
In a country where corruption is a pervasive issue, these suspicions are especially damaging. Indonesian anti-corruption laws prohibit public figures from accepting gifts or favors that could be construed as political gratification, making Kaesang’s actions a potentially serious legal issue. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), tasked with investigating corruption, has so far hesitated to probe the matter, but public pressure is growing.
The KPK’s Reluctance: A Fear of Jokowi’s Revenge?
The KPK’s reluctance to investigate both scandals has been troubling for many Indonesians. Historically, the commission has aggressively pursued corruption cases, but its apparent hesitation here signals a possible fear of President Jokowi’s lingering influence. Despite being a lame-duck president, Jokowi retains considerable power, and the KPK may be wary of investigating his sons.
This reluctance points to broader problems within Indonesia’s anti-corruption apparatus, which has seen its powers weakened under Jokowi’s administration. Critics argue that reforms pushed by Jokowi have compromised the KPK’s independence, making it less willing to tackle cases involving the political elite. If the KPK continues to avoid action, it risks severely undermining public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption efforts and the rule of law.
Gen Z’s Digital Vigilance: A New Era of Accountability
While institutional mechanisms like the KPK falter, Indonesia’s Gen Z is stepping in to fill the accountability gap. Using social media and online investigative tools, these digital natives have played a pivotal role in uncovering the Gibran and Kaesang scandals. Armed with information and an unyielding demand for transparency, Gen Z is proving that the public can hold the powerful to account, even when institutions fail to do so.
Their efforts are forcing the political elite to grapple with a new reality—one where the younger generation is no longer willing to turn a blind eye to corruption and abuse of power. If the KPK and other authorities continue to sidestep their responsibilities, they may face increasing pressure from a digitally connected and politically savvy generation determined to make their voices heard.
Prabowo’s Political Leadership and Indonesian Democracy
The Gibran and Kaesang scandals present a critical test for Indonesia’s democracy. Can the country’s institutions uphold the principles of accountability and justice, or will they bow to political pressure? The outcome of these investigations—or lack thereof—will signal the direction Indonesia’s democracy is heading.
For now, the most formidable challenge to Indonesia’s political elite may not come from within the system, but from the streets, where Gen Z is becoming an increasingly powerful force for change. Should the KPK and other institutions fail to act, it is likely that public frustration will turn into widespread protests, with young Indonesians at the forefront, demanding reforms and accountability.
In this evolving political landscape, the scandals involving Jokowi’s sons are a litmus test for how Indonesia’s institutions and its digital generation will shape the future of its democracy. As Gen Z continues to expose wrongdoing, one thing is clear: the country’s leaders can no longer hide from the watchful eyes of a digitally empowered and vigilant public.
However, as strong as the pressure from Gen Z and the public in general may be, after October 20, it’s all in the hands of Prabowo. While Jokowi should no longer be politically relevant after leaving office, the pressing question is how much influence Jokowi will still have over Prabowo, and whether Prabowo will be willing to sever ties with his predecessor to ensure a full investigation into these scandals. The KPK, police, and Attorney General’s Office (AGO) will be under scrutiny to follow through.
We hope that Prabowo, as the next president, will recognize the growing discontent among Gen Z voters, the majority of whom backed him in the last election. Above all, we hope Prabowo demonstrates common sense and listens to the voice of reason. Failing to address these issues could erode trust in Indonesia’s institutions, but a strong response could mark a turning point for accountability in the nation.
As long as an institution (KPK, Omong-omong, Gen Z, you name them….) only does focus on specific ‘targets’ from one stream only than they are all clearly biased.
Continue check Jokowi and family, but also at same time many others, including ‘local kings’ (walikota) but also ‘jaksa penuntut’, head of BPN etc. There are so many ‘dirty ones’ outside