The race between the Jakarta gubernatorial candidates and running mates for tickets No. 1 and 3, Ridwan Kamil-Suswono and Pramono Anung-Rano Karno, remains intense as election day on Wednesday (11/27/2024) approaches.
Both sets of candidates have received endorsements from key figures in the 2024 Jakarta Regional Election (Pilkada). Ridwan Kamil-Suswono is endorsed by President Prabowo Subianto and Indonesia’s 7th President, Jokowi. Jokowi even expressed his open support for Ridwan Kamil in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, on Monday evening (11/18/2024).
Meanwhile, Pramono Anung and Rano Karno have received endorsements from two former Jakarta governors, Anies Baswedan and Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).
How Much Influence Do Prabowo, Jokowi, Anies, and Ahok Have in the Jakarta Pilkada?
According to a Kompas Research and Development (Litbang Kompas) survey released on Tuesday (11/5/2024), Prabowo ranks first as the most influential figure among voters in the 2024 Jakarta Pilkada.
About 49.7% of respondents said they would vote for Jakarta gubernatorial candidates endorsed by Prabowo.
Jokowi ranks second, with 46.6% of respondents preferring candidates he supports.
Anies and Ahok rank third and fourth, respectively, as influential figures, with 44.2% of respondents favoring candidates endorsed by Anies, and 39.9% favoring those backed by Ahok.
“This means that figures like Jokowi, President Prabowo, and Anies Baswedan still play a significant role in shaping Jakarta voters’ decisions,” said Litbang Kompas researcher Bestian Nainggolan on Tuesday.
Prabowo, Jokowi, Anies, and Ahok’s Endorsements Build Emotional Connections
Political analyst and Executive Director of Indonesia Political Parameters, Adi Prayitno, believes that endorsements from Prabowo, Jokowi, Anies, and Ahok politically strengthen the emotional connection between their voter bases and the candidates they endorse.
“It must be acknowledged that political endorsements or support from elites consolidate and mobilize their loyal voters towards the supported candidates,” Adi told Kompas.com on Tuesday (11/19/2024).
Adi explained that the endorsements from Prabowo and Jokowi for Ridwan Kamil-Suswono, as well as Anies and Ahok for Pramono-Rano, are expected to consolidate their loyal voter bases to support the endorsed candidates.
However, he emphasized that such endorsements must be accompanied by open support to be impactful.
“For instance, Jokowi’s open support for Ridwan Kamil in Jakarta is aimed at directing Jokowi’s voter base—those who admire him or were satisfied with his performance as president—towards Ridwan Kamil and Suswono,” Adi said.
“This includes political machinery and parties close to Jokowi, such as PSI. Their political support for Ridwan Kamil will become more substantial,” he continued.
Adi pointed out that open support from influential figures has a greater impact than just issuing endorsements.
“It would be more effective for Anies, for example, to directly campaign and openly support Pramono Anung and Rano Karno. If Anies truly backs candidate No. 3, it will have a significant effect,” Adi explained.
“It would be interesting if Anies also goes all-in, campaigns, and urges his supporters to vote for Pramono-Rano. If he does this, it will undoubtedly have a major impact. But if Anies’ support remains vague, conveyed only through photos or spokespersons, the weight of his endorsement will be less significant,” Adi added.
Adi also highlighted the importance of direct engagement with voters, as many may not automatically support a candidate they favor unless directly approached.
“Even if voters confirm that they like a certain candidate, if they are not directly engaged or communicated with, they could switch their support. Essentially, voters need to be directly approached and engaged on an emotional and intellectual level,” Adi concluded.
