Indonesia's presidential candidates turn to TikTok to woo youth votes

They also visit campuses, engage young campaigners to win hearts of key group

- Linda Yulisman

Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto wiggled with delight in video clips viewed by millions on TikTok.

As part of an unorthodox campaigning style, the Defence Minister, 72, has danced not only at his birthday party or at work, but also at events attended by many politicians and his supporters. He once said that his dancing was inspired by Gatotkaca, a Javanese puppet hero.

Campaigning for the presidential election kicked off officially on Nov 28.

Netizens have a new nickname for him "gemoy", a pun on gemas, an Indonesian slang term widely used by youngsters to mean cute or adorable.

Mr Prabowo has also invited social media influencers and comedians to his office, sharing jokes and laughs with them. In an Instagram post, he wore a white hoodie bearing his party name, Gerindra, instead of his regular safari suit.

"My friends say his dance is part of a political strategy. But I believe it comes out as a spontaneous expression. I just find it fun," university student Noval Danu Prawira, 21, told The Straits Times. He will vote for the first time in the Feb 14, 2024, polls.

From visiting schools and campuses to engaging young campaigners and social media influencers and appearing on TikTok, Indonesia's presidential and vicepresidential candidates are banking on new approaches to woo first-time voters and the pluggedin generation.

Widespread mobile phone ownership and high Internet penetration allow the politicians to reach out to even those living in remote corners of the vast archipelago of some 17,000 islands.

They aim to win the hearts of 106.4 million young voters aged 17 to 40 years old, who represent 52 per cent of eligible voters in total.

Winning votes from the group is key to victory, analysts say.