As Indonesia prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka on October 20, 2024, the political atmosphere has been clouded by the controversy surrounding the Kaskus account “Fufufafa.” This account, allegedly linked to Gibran, has caused a stir due to its derogatory posts aimed at Prabowo, including past statements that disparaged the president-elect’s military history and family. The controversy has raised questions about Gibran’s role in managing this account, though he has consistently denied ownership of the account, which surfaced again in 2024 after its initial activity in 2019 (CNA, 2024; Kaskus, 2024).
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) has conducted an investigation into the ownership of the account, with Minister Budi Arie Setiyadi asserting that Gibran is not responsible for it. Despite this, the investigation remains ongoing, and no definitive conclusions about the true account owner have been released, fueling public speculation and potentially straining Gibran’s relationship with Prabowo. The political analyst community is closely monitoring how this issue may impact the upcoming administration’s internal dynamics and stability (Batam News Asia, 2024).
Amidst this backdrop, there have been rumors of potential changes in the vice-presidential position, with speculation that Puan Maharani, chairwoman of the People’s Representative Council (DPR), could replace Gibran. This remains speculative, but it highlights the broader political tension surrounding Gibran’s candidacy and the expectations for him to maintain a harmonious working relationship with Prabowo, especially given the allegations linked to the Fufufafa controversy (Jakarta Post, 2024).
Indonesia’s political landscape is particularly sensitive to such issues, as the country’s leadership is transitioning to a new generation with Gibran, the son of outgoing President Joko Widodo, playing a key role. The potential fallout from the Fufufafa case, if not resolved transparently, could affect not only domestic politics but also Indonesia’s international reputation as it seeks to maintain political and economic stability. As the inauguration approaches, all eyes will be on how this controversy unfolds and whether it will lead to any significant shifts in leadership or policy direction.
As of now, there are no indications that Gibran Rakabuming Raka will step down from his position as Vice President-elect of Indonesia. Despite the controversy surrounding the Kaskus account “Fufufafa,” which has been linked to Gibran and contains derogatory comments about President-elect Prabowo Subianto, Gibran has consistently denied ownership of the account. The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) has confirmed that the account is not Gibran’s, and the case is under investigation.
Furthermore, the Jakarta State Administrative Court has postponed a decision related to Gibran’s candidacy until October 24, 2024, which is after the inauguration on October 20. This court case, initiated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), challenges the legality of Gibran’s candidacy due to his age. However, there is no indication that the court case will result in his stepping down before or after the inauguration.
Thus, barring any unforeseen developments, Gibran is set to assume the role of Vice President alongside President Prabowo Subianto. However, political tensions remain high, and the controversy could continue to affect the administration’s stability once in office.