In Indonesian elections, how far can VP candidate Sandiaga push Widodo over the economy?
- The multimillionaire running mate of Prabowo Subianto is vocal about his plans for business and finance
- He’s not setting GDP growth rates, but has opened his arms to Chinese investment
A renowned entrepreneur and investor whose net worth is reportedly US$349 million, Sandiaga has gone for nearly 700 blusukan, or impromptu visits, to the likes of traditional markets and other public places – similar to what Indonesian president Joko Widodo did in the run-up to his election win in 2014.
Sandiaga, alongside former general Prabowo, will face Widodo and his running mate, Islamic scholar Ma’ruf Amin, in next April’s presidential election.
As the campaign season approaches its final leg, Sandiaga has criticised the government over rising consumer prices, forcing Widodo to respond on social media last month after a visit to a market, where the president stressed fluctuating prices were “normal” and inflation was stable.
Sandiaga has also been vocal about his ideas for economic management, highlighting his strategies to boost economic growth – which averaged 4 per cent between 2000 and 2017 – and narrow rising inequality.
Among his concerns is the country’s deal with global mining giant Freeport, agreed in September. Under the deal, Indonesia, through state-owned miner Inalum, acquired a 51.23 per cent stake of its local unit PT Freeport Indonesia, valued at US$3.5 billion. Inalum sold US$4 billion in global bonds so it could manage Grasberg – the world’s largest gold mine and second-largest copper mine, located in the Indonesian province of Papua – and return more of the profits to the country.
