The Political Cost of Lavish Lifestyles: Jokowi’s “Cawe-cawe” Jeopardised Amid Indonesia’s Power Transition
Jokowi’s youngest son Kaesang Pangarep and daughter-in-law Erina Gudono’s flaunting of wealth in Instagram stories could undermine the ex-president’s political legacy.
Joko Widodo and his son Kaesang Pangarep meet Indonesian Solidarity Party cadres. (source: instagram.com/psi_id)
Once celebrated as Indonesia’s humble, down-to-earth leader, Joko Widodo now finds his carefully cultivated populist image at odds with the flashy Instagram stories of his youngest son Kaesang Pangarep and daughter-in-law Erina Gudono. While the former president attempted to cement his influence amidst the political transition with his cawe-cawe strategy—in which he seeks to stay involved in guiding Indonesia’s development projects and political future—these ostentatious displays of wealth risk undermining the very legacy he has fought to build (Antara News, 2023). Showcasing a luxurious lifestyle while vacationing in the United States, their posts coincided with public demonstrations against the Local Elections Bill (RUU Pilkada) revision in front of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) building, further heightening public scrutiny. The revision raises suspicions that it is a move to ease Kaesang’s entry to power by removing barriers, reinforcing concerns that political structures are being altered to favour Jokowi’s family (Fadhil, 2024). Hence, could this family’s display of extravagance undermine Jokowi’s legacy?
Jokowi entered politics as a refreshing alternative to Indonesia’s traditional political elite, winning the hearts of ordinary Indonesians with his modest roots and relatable persona. Coming from a modest background as the son of a carpenter in Surakarta City, he initially made his mark as a successful entrepreneur and later transitioned into politics—first as mayor of his hometown and then governor of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta. The latter position propelled him to prominence as he engaged directly with citizens through blusukan—unannounced and informal visits to neighbourhoods to gain direct insights into local issues (Ziegler, 2014). This grassroots style and his "zero-to-hero" journey sharply contrasted with the established political elite, often seen as disconnected and corrupt. Jokowi’s image as a man of the people resonated with voters seeking authenticity, positioning him as a reform champion and helping him win the presidency in 2014. Both his connection to citizens and commitment to transparency boosted his popularity, as many Indonesians felt he understood their needs and aspirations.
As his presidency approached its end, Jokowi aimed to maintain a connection with the public, giving rise to his concept of "cawe-cawe," a Javanese term meaning "to interfere" or "to meddle." In this context, Jokowi used the term to advocate for continuing development projects initiated during his administration, regardless of the leadership changes (Antara News, 2023; CNN Indonesia, 2023a). This effort drew criticism that the president should remain neutral and allow elections to proceed according to the law. Yet, Jokowi's actions suggested otherwise, especially his eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka's vice presidential candidacy. Chief Justice of Constitutional Court Anwar Usman—also Jokowi's brother-in-law—recently led an amendment to the election law that cleared the way for Gibran to meet the age requirements for candidacy (Al Jazeera, 2023). Shortly after that, Jokowi shifted his support from his party's candidate to his defence minister Prabowo Subianto, who had Gibran as his running mate. Therefore, while the term cawe-cawe carries a negative connotation, Jokowi framed it as the rationale for his political choices, claiming that it was “his moral responsibility as the president” to maintain a conducive political environment leading up to the elections (Maulana, 2024).
After the votes were counted and Gibran was declared vice president-elect, all eyes were on his younger brother Kaesang Pangarep, igniting speculation about his own political ambitions. Back in 2019, Jokowi stated that his children had no interest in politics. Even so, in September 2023, Kaesang joined the youth-oriented Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) and became its chairperson a mere two days later (CNN Indonesia, 2023b). Fuelling accusations of privilege and nepotism, Kaesang's swift ascension into a leadership position in PSI, well-known for the party's youthful and progressive image, suggested Jokowi's cawe-cawe may be at play to preserve his post-power legacy amongst younger Indonesians. With 204.8 million voters registered for the 2024 election, millennials comprise the largest segment at 32.3 per cent, followed by Generation X at 28.3 per cent and Generation Z at 21.1 per cent (Harmadi, 2023). With the influence held by Indonesia's youth in the upcoming election, Kaesang’s rise under Jokowi's cawe-cawe has sparked concerns over nepotism and centralised power that may challenge democratic progress.
Kaesang and Erina’s opulent social media posts have sparked media and public attention for three reasons—Erina’s enrollment at an Ivy League school, their display of luxury items, and the potential revision of the Regional Elections Bill that could enable Kaesang to run for office. To start, hailing from an academic family and now pursuing a Master's in Social Policy at an Ivy League institution with a merit-based scholarship, Erina represents a blend of public admiration and scrutiny (CNA, 2024). Her pursuit of higher education lends an academic and socially aware element to the Widodo family, reflecting positively on Jokowi’s education reform agendas and positioning herself as a potential advocate for societal welfare in Indonesia. Notwithstanding, Erina’s display of luxury on social media during her time in the United States could inadvertently create friction with Jokowi’s humble image, complicating both the public perception of his legacy and the political aspirations of Kaesang in the future.
The couple’s display of luxury items, such as extravagant meals and newborn essentials, has generated widespread public criticism, particularly in consideration of the prevailing social welfare realities in Indonesia. Some of these purchases include a lobster roll priced at US$25-27 and a high-end baby stroller costing 1,340 euros (Suara, 2024; Tempo, 2024). After these items were published on Instagram, one TikTok user lamented Kaesang and Erina’s lavish expenditures by posting a payslip from a local honorarium teacher, whose monthly earnings are lower than the price of a single lobster roll (TVOne News, 2024). Their decision to purchase a luxury baby stroller amplifies the perception that they are disconnected from the realities of typical citizens, accentuating the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and those battling financial hardships. This phenomenon reveals a bitter but true fact: while Kaesang and Erina showcase their wealth on social media, they inadvertently invite public criticism through the same medium.
As the daughter-in-law of the former president, Erina is subject to public scrutiny that demands accountability for the social ideals promoted by her influential family. Many of Jokowi’s supporters view Kaesang and Erina’s behaviours as indicative of a disconnect from the everyday experiences of the average Indonesian, often characterised by their hard work so as to improve their economic conditions and social mobility. This perception and Erina’s social media updates risk undermining the relatability central to Jokowi’s political identity. As a result, Erina’s public persona has become a personal liability and a broader political risk for her father-in-law because her visible affluence alienates segments of the Indonesian public who once found comfort in his humble background. Ultimately, Erina and Kaesang’s social media activities exemplify a broad phenomenon in modern politics: the increased scrutiny of public figures via social media. With Jokowi’s pro-rakyat or “for the people” image being undermined, social media shapes how the Indonesian public feels, connecting the couple’s exhibition of wealth to views on Jokowi’s administration and affecting trust in political figures.
In the end, these developments shaped public reaction to one of Jokowi's final cawe-cawe attempts—smoothing Kaesang's path to a political seat. The potential revision of the Regional Elections Bill would remove the age restriction on regional head candidates, allowing Kaesang to appear on the Jakarta regional election ballot as a potential deputy governor candidate (CNN Indonesia, 2024). The Indonesian Supreme Court has determined that the age requirements for gubernatorial and regional head candidates, which stipulate a minimum age of 30 years, are legally unenforceable—unless the age is calculated from the date of inauguration rather than from the date of candidate determination (CNN Indonesia, 2024). This pivotal ruling effectively opens the door for individuals such as Kaesang, who will reach the age of 30 shortly, to qualify for candidacy in upcoming elections. While Jokowi successfully paved the way for Gibran's rise to the vice presidency, his ongoing cawe-cawe—seen as non-neutral and intrusive in democratic processes—to facilitate Kaesang's political ambitions has faced backlash. With increased public pressure in social media triggered by Erina and Kaesang’s social media posts, the revision was cancelled, and Kaesang would not be able to run for office.
Once celebrated as a champion of the people, Jokowi has ended his presidency on a negative note. Intended as a strategy to accumulate power and continue his legacy, cawe-cawe has become a double-edged sword, yet Kaesang and Erina's public personas emerge as significant stumbling blocks. Their extravagant lifestyles have broader implications for Indonesian politics, especially as the nation approaches a pivotal power transition. The public increasingly perceives Jokowi's family as members of the privileged elite rather than advocates for the common people. This shift could have long-term consequences for Indonesian elite behaviour. Suppose the next generation of leaders embraces public displays of wealth. In that case, it may lead other political families to prioritise elite lifestyles over genuine public service, eroding public trust in politicians who claim to support low-income communities while living in luxury. Consequently, Jokowi's legacy, once a beacon of populist reform, risks becoming a cautionary tale about the dangers of intertwining family power with public office, casting doubt on the effectiveness of populist promises in a stratified political landscape and undermining the trust required for a healthy democracy.
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