Private jet use, social media posts: Unpacking the controversies around Jokowi’s family

[JAKARTA] In just a few weeks, Joko Widodo will conclude his 10-year presidency in Indonesia, passing the mantle to Prabowo Subianto, the former general who emerged victorious in February’s election.

Prabowo assumes office on Oct 20, with Gibran Rakabuming Raka – Widodo’s elder son – as his vice-president.

As South-east Asia’s largest democracy gears up for a political transition, controversy has swirled around the Widodo family, amid concerns that the president is building a political dynasty. The Business Times breaks down the allegations making headlines.

Where it started

At the centre of the storm is Kaesang Pangarep, the younger of the president’s two sons, whose bid for a gubernatorial run fell flat after a highly-contentious attempt to amend the law failed.

The move, aimed at pushing Kaesang’s nomination for regional elections in November despite his having failed to meet the age requirement, ignited widespread protests in Jakarta and other major cities last August.

Less than a month later, it was disclosed that Kaesang, a 29-year-old YouTuber and chief of the youth-focused Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), is being investigated by Indonesia’s national anti-graft agency. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is an independent body overseen by a supervisory council that reports to the president.

Reports suggest the probe revolves around allegations that he received improper benefits linked to his flight to the US with his wife Erina Gudono in a private jet.

The investigation, triggered by a formal complaint, aims to determine if the flight was financed by a third party, suggesting gratuity or conflicts of interest. KPK investigators are examining whether personal or state funds were used – a key distinction with legal implications. Kaesang has already given his statement to authorities.

The case is ongoing. The rising political figure has rejected allegations of wrongdoing. In a statement, the rising political figure clarified that he originally planned to fly by commercial jet to the US in August, but opted to hitch a ride on a “friend’s private jet”.

While he did not disclose the owner’s identity, rumours have been swirling about this “friend”.

In the spotlight: Shopee in Solo

Social media buzzed with speculation that the luxury business jet, a Gulfstream G650ER, is owned by Garena Online, the gaming division of Sea, a Singapore-based company that also owns Shopee.

The Straits Times reported that a check on the US Federal Aviation Administration’s website shows the jet is currently owned by a trustee of the Bank of Utah. Aviation site RZJets said the jet was first delivered to Garena on Jul 15, 2021; on Dec 29, 2022, it was purchased by the Bank of Utah’s trust.

Netizens have also widely speculated that the flight may have been arranged by Singapore tech billionaire and Sea’s co-founder and group chief operating officer, Gang Ye.

The recent events have sparked some discussion about perceived ties between the Jokowi family and Shopee, raising broader questions about ethics and governance in Indonesia.

Vice-president-elect Gibran recently denied allegations linking his younger brother’s jet ride to Shopee’s investments in Solo city, where he served as mayor until he stepped down in July to take on a bigger new role.

In 2021, Shopee invested in a 9-hectare, science and technology-based integrated zone called Techno Park in Solo, the Widodo family’s hometown. It now operates two offices in Solo city.

Gibran was reported by Antara news agency as having said: “The MOU (memorandum of understanding) is a professional agreement between the Surakarta (Solo) city government, Technopark and Shopee. There’s nothing like that...we conduct everything professionally.”

Shopee Indonesia recently moved part of its operations from Jakarta to Solo, citing lower wages in Solo which would help it improve its operational efficiency. The relocation sparked rumours of massive lay-offs, which were denied by the e-commerce giant. Tech in Asia reported that hundreds of employees were affected by the move.

As at mid-2023, Shopee remained the leader in Indonesia’s e-commerce market. Data from analytics company SimilarWeb from May 2023 indicated that Shopee website was pulling in 161 million visitors, ahead of local platform Tokopedia and Lazada.

All that ‘fufufafa’

Gibran, 36, who became a vice-presidential candidate following a controversial amendment to the age-limit law last year, is also facing scrutiny over his past social media activity.

Netizens recently uncovered an old account named “Fufufafa” – reportedly linked to him – on Kaskus, a social media platform once popular among young Indonesians.

The account was known for posting critical comments, especially targeting incoming president Prabowo, who was Widodo’s rival in the 2014 elections.

Tempo magazine reported that the comment history of the account dates back to before the 2014 election and posts were made till 2019, when tensions between Prabowo and Jokowi were at their height.

Gibran has denied owning the account and criticised Indonesian netizens for persistently associating him with the growing controversy surrounding it.

High stakes ahead

Didik Rachbini, a socio-economic and political analyst from the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance, said that the public’s strong reaction to the issues surrounding Widodo’s son reflects concerns that the outgoing president is trying to establish a political dynasty.

He noted that a slowing economy and rising living costs has not quelled the growing frustration and suspicion over the perceived concentration of power within one family.

“If the government wants to demonstrate good governance to investors, the alleged gratuity case involving Kaesang must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.

Widodo, in his first remarks two weeks ago concerning Kaesang’s jet ride, said: “I will just say that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. That’s all.”