In the genes: Gibran (left) and Kaesang are set to follow in their father’s footsteps. — Photo courtesy of social media
President Joko Widodo’s two sons are set to follow in his political footsteps in the 2024 elections.
His eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is the mayor of Surakarta in Central Java, said he is ready to run in the gubernatorial race in 2024.
The 35-year-old said his younger brother, Kaesang Pangarep, 28, is also planning to contest the regional head elections.
“There, I’ve leaked it,” Gibran said in the Central Java city on Wednesday, reported Detik.com.
He also urged reporters to ask his brother whether he would run for Surakarta mayor.
“Ask him yourself. The most important thing is, I have given him my blessing,” Gibran said.
Joko, better known as Jokowi, started his political career by winning the mayoral seat of Surakarta, his home town, in 2005.
He then went on to win the Jakarta governorship in 2012, and the presidential race in 2014.
Gibran won the Surakarta mayoral seat in 2021.
Gibran said his brother Kaesang, who runs several F&B businesses, had revealed his political ambitions during a family dinner at Jokowi’s private residence in Surakarta on Monday.
A graduate of Anglo-Chinese School (International) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Kaesang launched F&B ventures such as Sang Pisang and Ternakopi even before he graduated from university.
Kaesang is a YouTuber and a majority shareholder of the Persis Solo soccer club, which is in the country’s top league, Liga 1.
He married former beauty queen Erina Sofia Gudono last December.
Gibran is married to former beauty queen Selvi Ananda, with whom he has two children.
Gibran said Kaesang’s interest in politics grew after the latter observed his father at work, inspecting urban developments in Surakarta.
An October 2022 survey by pollster Charta Politika found that Gibran was the preferred Central Java candidate for 37.7% of respondents.
The top seats in Jakarta and Central Java are typically a springboard to the presidency in Indonesia.“We have to wait for the party’s decision. We have to see the public’s demand. If we have the ambition but not the people’s favour, then it is (futile),” Gibran said. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
