It could have been anyone’s account, but 10 years later, it has resurfaced to haunt its owner in a shocking and dramatic turn of events.
There was an account registered as “Fufufafa” in Kaskus.
Just like any other accounts, Fufufafa was critical of certain individuals, took digs at others and explicitly showed adoration for certain celebrities.
The posts were funny at times and even mentioned body parts of certain female artistes, and linked to sensitive content like pornographic site sign-ups.
The account holder sounds conceited, crass, disrespectful, even brutal. He is also a misogynist, racist and sexist.
It could have been anyone’s account. Most possibly he is a young brat, speaking his mind without fear or favour, expressing his frustrations and despair, or even sharing his fantasies, guilt and obsession.
But the account comes to haunt the person 10 years later in a shocking and dramatic way.
It is now the biggest single Internet debacle in the history of Indonesia.
The controversy has been raging since two months ago with no signs of abating.
This is the case allegedly involving vice-president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). He is set to take office on Oct 20 after winning the presidential election partnering Prabowo Subianto.
The account is sadly redefining a presidential partnership in Indonesia. It may even derail Prabowo’s smooth takeover from Jokowi’s 10-year rule.
In the digital era, nothing is sacrosanct anymore, or is safe and can be hidden. When it involves a figure like Gibran, it becomes a scandal ripe for political intrigue.
Indonesian netizens have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the Fufufafa’s account is Gibran’s.
They have also pointed out that Gibran’s business account “Chilli Pari” and Fufufafa have posted similar messages.
Going one step further, netizens topped up the Gopay balance of the account, and the name Gibran popped up.
When the controversy erupted, the Information Minister refuted it. Budi Arie Setiadi promised to reveal the true identity of the account holder but he never did.
That added fuel to fire. To make matters worse, there was an attempt to erase at least 2,000 posts and mark “Slamet” as the account holder.
Just this week the hugely popular and credible Tempo magazine’s podcast Bocor Alus exposed the phone number used by Fufufafa as being the same used by Gibran to communicate with them during his years as the mayor of Solo.
According to Bocor Alus reporters, even his younger brother, Kaesang Pangarep, has admitted that the account belongs to Gibran.
The Fufufafa saga serves as a reminder that one’s online footprint is indelible.
For public figures and personalities, what you post today can be used against you one day.
Digital vigilance, caution and understanding of the social media platforms are critical. You are, as proven in the case of Gibran, one click away from humiliation and disaster if not careful.
So, why do the old posts of a 26-year-old matter now? For one, he is to be the next vice-president of the Republic of Indonesia.
There is the issue of a leader’s integrity, conduct and behaviour. Gibran will be the second most powerful person in Indonesia come Oct 20. If anything happens to the 72-year-old Prabowo, Gibran will be the next president.
Perhaps the most damning posts of all were those about Prabowo and his family.
The account was critical of not only Prabowo but made derogatory remarks against Prabowo’s only son, Didit Hediprasetyo Djojohadikusumo, with his former wife Siti Hediati Hariyadi or Titiek Suharto.
Many of these negative posts were made during the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections when Prabowo was fighting Jokowi.
Imagine Prabowo reading these lines: “It turns out sacked soldiers also receive pensions” or “Dishonourably discharged soldier, divorcee, effeminate children, radical supporters, coalition parties not fully supportive.”
Gibran has many enemies and more so now than ever.
Jokowi was accused of using Mahkamah Konstitusi (Constitutional Court) headed by his brother-in-law to allow Gibran to contest despite his age.
The students, intellectuals, the academia and the civil society were up in arms against him. During the presidential election, he was openly supporting the Prabowo-Gibran ticket.
He was also trying to ensure that his youngest son Kaesang contested the post of governor.
This time the Constitutional Court rejected it. But the case was brought to Parliament for review.
The move angered the public. The biggest demonstration post-Reformasi was held in major cities last month.
Jokowi is certainly not a beloved figure upon leaving office. And his children have not been helpful in protecting his legacy.
Living a life of opulence, flying on private jets and enjoying all the perks of being part of the First Family further tarnished the image of the outgoing president.
The deafening demand not to appoint Gibran as the vice-president or to impeach him if he is appointed is the last straw for the family.
The writer was in Indonesia during the presidential election in February. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
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