Election-bound Indonesian youth reveal their political wishes

In the heart of Indonesia's election season, the voices of its youth are resonating louder than ever. With over 106 million Indonesians aged between 17 and 40, representing 52% of the eligible voters in the country, the young generation is making their presence felt.

During a discussion at the Universitas Gadjah Mada, law student Linda Kristiani Sianturi expressed concern that most news coverage is focused on the presidential candidates rather than on the legislative election. This sentiment was shared by many young voters, who voiced their perspectives in several media interviews and public events during the campaign period.

One such voice belongs to Bobby Hidayat, a 22-year-old who expressed the difficulty of choosing who to vote for as president. Another voice is Rayhan, a 24-year-old small business owner and youth activist, who challenged candidates to address economic concerns and the rule of law, particularly around owning a house, infrastructure, and human rights issues like police brutality. Ginanjar Ariyasuta, a 24-year-old environmental advocate, urged candidates to prioritize renewable energy, as the young generation is most affected by the climate crisis.

The current generation of young people, characterized by an acute sense of social awareness and a high level of internet-enabled connectivity, has also launched initiatives aimed at providing information and education to voters. One such initiative is the platform Bijak Memilih, where internet users can find credible information about political party programs and perspectives on key public issues.

Former environmental economist Andhyta "Afu" Firselly Utami, who co-initiated Bijak Memilih, emphasized the importance of voters' education in her TEDx talk. She urged young voters to choose wisely in the next election by focusing on issues, policies, and ideas rather than charismatic leaders.

However, the political system offers little chance for young people to remedy their discontent as institutions of democracy have continued to be marginalized. Petir Garda Bhwana, editor of the news website Tempo, highlighted key issues facing the youth that prevent them from realizing their full potential as major drivers of change in the country.

In an effort to reach Indonesian K-pop fans, some candidates adopted Korean pop culture themes in their campaign materials. Yet, the search results revealed no information about any Indonesian presidential candidates in 2024 choosing to use such themes.

Titi Anggraini of the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) encouraged young voters to become election officials to minimize incidents of electoral fraud. Justin Wejak, a lecturer with the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne, noted the role and potential of young people in deciding the election results.

As the election season draws to a close, the voices of the youth continue to echo, reminding us of their significant role in shaping the future of Indonesia.