Indonesian K-pop fans accuse Ganjar Pranowo of using them as ‘political tool’ ahead of 2024 election

Ganjar had mulled inviting K-pop stars to Indonesia and sought suggestions on social media, prompting some netizens to slam his ‘political agenda’
He backed down as opposition to his plan grew, insisting it was initiated as a way to boost the local economy and tourism

Indonesia

SCMP’s Asia desk

Published: 7:00am, 3 Aug 2023

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K-pop lovers in Indonesia have panned presidential hopeful Ganjar Pranowo for proposing to host a concert in Central Java, seemingly aimed at wooing young voters ahead of next year’s general election.

Ganjar recently said his campaigner and Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka were eyeing inviting K-pop stars to the city, and he had no idea who to tap on.

The presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which includes Indonesian president and Gibran’s father Joko Widodo, also sought suggestions from social media users.

While some recommended bands like K-pop heavyweight BTS and the new boy group Xodiac, others questioned Ganjar’s intention behind using a music show to connect with the electorate, saying he needs to focus on policies promoting work-life balance and freedom of expression.

“Soliciting ideas from K-pop fans? There’s still a lot of work to do. It’s not the time to relax and watch entertainment,” a user responded to the Central Java governor on X, formerly known as Twitter.

K-pop fans also accused Ganjar of capitalising on the genre to score political mileage and lacking “quality ideas”, suggesting he give local singers a chance to showcase their work.

“Please talk about what Indonesia will be like in the future, sir. How are you going to deal with traffic jams?” asked a user.

Netizens also said K-pop idols in South Korea typically stayed clear of politics during elections, and Ganjar should not use them as a “political tool” in his campaigns.

An Indonesian fan of South Korean K-pop boy band BTS poses with a giant poster of the band at a shopping centre in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Ganjar backed down as opposition to his plan grew, insisting it had “nothing to do with politics” and was initiated as a way to boost the local economy and tourism business.

“But, if our intention has displeased some people, then that’s OK too,” he said in a post on X.

Some K-pop devotees were not convinced with that explanation, saying his intention was to turn the event into votes and that is exactly why they do not support him.

Wrote a user: “You’re a political person, you’re running for the president’s office and you can’t get away from what’s called a political agenda.”

Mayor Gibran had said he planned to hold the concert in September to mark the 50th year anniversary of Indonesia’s diplomatic relationship with South Korea, The Jakarta Post reported.

It was not immediately clear if the Surakarta show would take place following the outcry.

Indonesian politicians in the past have also used music as a medium to draw in voters.

During the 2014 presidential contest, Widodo confessed he was a heavy metal fan and declared his love for Metallica and Napalm Death.

“Incredibly, ladies and gentlemen, the new president of Indonesia is a metalhead and a Lamb of God fan,” said Randy Blythe, singer of the American band Lamb of God, after Widodo won the election.

The president also praised last year Metallica as one of the best in the business, saying: “There’s no one like them, and as far as I know, there’s no band from the new generation that can write music as good as theirs.”

A recent survey found Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto was now the front-runner in a three-way presidential race with 35.8 per cent of the vote, while Ganjar and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan clocked 32.2 per cent and 21.4 per cent, respectively.

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