Jokowi’s first-born son, Gibran Rakabuming, and his son-in-law, Bobby Nasution, are going to enter political race in 2020 as City Mayor candidates. Gibran is going to enter the election through PDI-P for Solo’s City Mayor and Bobby for Medan’s City Mayor through Golkar Party. Their entrance is surrounded by negative opinions regarding political dynasty of Jokowi’s family.
One thing that need to be understood is political dynasty is created by appointed position not elected position. Both Gibran and Bobby are going to enter election where their constituents are directly choosing their leaders. There is still a chance that they are going to lose, although their political capital is big due to Jokowi’s fame. But that’s what you got when you are the family member of the head of a country.
Although their big political capital is inevitable, and also have status as the family members of the president, as citizens they have right to join political party and enter political race. There is no rule that stated President’s family members cannot join political activities.
But Gibran and Bobby’s decision to enter mayoral race in their respective cities might have bad effects on Jokowi’s image that come into politic as an ordinary citizen who had no political relations. But in the end, democracy is about citizens choose their leader directly through voting. Good programs and clean campaign are what people might expect.
by: Putu Radar Bahurekso
