Indonesia election 2024: Prabowo flying high despite ‘negative sentiments’ towards Gibran

Prabowo continues to be well ahead in polls even as running mate Gibran has been criticised over a range of issues, not least his propensity for blunders

Analysts say Indonesian voters see the pairing as remaining just ‘like Jokowi’s era’, while Prabowo benefits from his rival Ganjar’s lack of branding

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Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (right) and running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is President Joko Widodo’s eldest son. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:00pm, 7 Dec 2023Updated: 5:18pm, 8 Jan 2024

As Indonesia gears up for its presidential election in February, the leading ticket of Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Gibran Rakabuming remains largely unaffected by mounting criticism and controversies. Their consistently strong lead in the polls poses a stark challenge to their closest rival candidate, Ganjar Pranowo, whose lack of distinct political branding may cost him dearly.

Since Gibran, President Joko Widodo’s eldest son, joined Prabowo’s campaign in October, he’s become a magnet for criticisms on topics ranging from nepotism to his father’s alleged abuses of power to his own lack of political experience. However, those attacks do not seem to have slowed down their ticket’s electoral momentum, despite Gibran adding further fuel to the fire with a series of recent gaffes.

One cringeworthy example came during a discussion last week, when the 36-year-old said that pregnant mothers “need sulphuric acid” to prevent stunted fetal growth. Gibran then repeated the claim during another event on Monday.

He later apologised for the statements, saying he meant to say “folic acid”, a chemical that helps in the formation of fetal nervous systems and strengthens the uterus. Sulphuric acid, which is used in the production of batteries, fertiliser, pulp and paper, is dangerous for human consumption.

Nevertheless, Gibran’s statements quickly caused a backlash and led to numerous memes making fun of his faux pas.

Tifauzia Tyassuma, a doctor and vocal Gibran critic, said on X (formerly Twitter), described Gibran’s blunder as “a fatal fault”.

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