Inherited Loyalties: Young Men and the Politics of Persistence
At a small roadside warung in Central Java, five young men gather around plastic chairs, sipping sweet tea and occasionally glancing at passing motorbikes. Ranging in age from 18 to 22, Wahyu, Anggi, Erik, Fauzan, and Bagas represent Indonesia's crucial youth demographic—first-time voters whose political choices will shape the nation for decades to come. Yet their electoral decisions reveal less about policy analysis and more about the enduring power of community influence, party identification, and personal connection in Indonesian democracy.
"The party in my village is green," explains 22-year-old Wahyu with a casual shrug when asked why he supported Prabowo Subianto in February's presidential election. This matter-of-fact reference to Prabowo's Gerindra Party colors reflects how political identity in rural Indonesia often remains geographically determined. For Wahyu, this local party allegiance combines with family tradition—"It's also inherited from my parents"—creating multiple layers of influence that made his electoral choice seem predetermined rather than deliberated.
His friend Anggi, 20, reveals a similar party-based orientation, though from a different political tradition. "I've been with the PPP party from the beginning," he explains, referring to the Islamic United Development Party that joined Prabowo's coalition. "When they entered Prabowo's camp, I supported Prabowo." This casual transfer of loyalty demonstrates how party identification often supersedes candidate evaluation, with young voters following established political networks rather than independently assessing leadership qualities.
When pressed about what they know of Prabowo's platform, their response is immediate but limited: "Free lunch and milk." While Wahyu initially believes this program targets "children's nutritional development," his friends quickly correct him—it's for "young people." This confusion about a signature campaign promise suggests their support isn't rooted in detailed policy understanding, yet they express unqualified approval: "It's good."
For 20-year-old Bagas, Prabowo's appeal lies less in policy specifics and more in his personal narrative of persistence. "He never gives up. He tried before, lost, but kept going," Bagas explains, referencing Prabowo's previous failed presidential bids. "Even when people criticized him, he stayed humble." This framing of political competition as a character-building journey resonates with young men who themselves face uncertain economic futures in Indonesia's competitive job market.
The group's political awareness contains striking contradictions. Though none follows political news closely—"No," they answer in unison when asked if they discuss politics among themselves—they can precisely recall Prabowo's electoral history. "Three times," says 18-year-old Erik immediately when asked how many times Prabowo has run for president. This selective knowledge suggests that while detailed policy debates may not penetrate their information environment, certain narrative elements about candidates successfully transmit through community conversations.
Their perception of Prabowo's evolution reveals sensitivity to political messaging and image management. "Before, his speeches were harsh," Wahyu observes. "People felt uncomfortable. Now he's like... cooler. Funny." This transformation from military strongman to "gemoy" (cute) campaign persona registered clearly with these young voters, who preferred the newer version: "It's better now," Bagas affirms. "He can entertain people too." Their appreciation for this strategic softening suggests a sophisticated understanding of political marketing, even as their policy knowledge remains limited.
Image source: hjopc.com
When social assistance programs enter the conversation, the connections between government benefits and political loyalty become more complex. Several mention their families receiving PKH (Family Hope Program) assistance—"every three or four months"—but resist the interviewer's suggestions that this influenced their voting. Unlike the direct campaign handouts they describe elsewhere ("dawn attacks," referring to election-day vote buying), they view government-provided social assistance as legitimate support independent of electoral politics.
"It helps with economic problems," Bagas explains about the PKH program, which provides their families with rice, eggs, cooking oil, and tea. The system allows some choice within spending limits: "It depends on the person, if they want to take rice, or whatever," he clarifies, describing a card-based system similar to a store purchase. When asked if they believe Prabowo will continue these programs, their answer is immediate: "Yes, we're confident," though they admit they haven't heard specific promises about this from the president-elect's campaign.
"It's not about appearances. What matters is their mindset and principles. If they have principles and goals, they should stay straight, not zigzag."
Despite limited political engagement, these young men articulate clear priorities for Indonesia's future under Prabowo's leadership. "Eradicate corruption," Erik states firmly. "Eliminate online gambling," adds Fauzan. Their expectations focus predominantly on security issues, reflecting Prabowo's military background: "He should develop the military and security," Bagas suggests, noting, "He's a former military man, so he should be firm."
Wahyu expresses concern about the controversial amendment that allowed Jokowi's son Gibran to become Prabowo's running mate despite age restrictions. "I'm still confident in Prabowo, but the political dynasty makes me doubtful," he admits. "Suddenly changing the rules—that makes you question things." This moment of critical reflection suggests that even within inherited political loyalties, spaces for independent judgment remain.
When asked what qualities matter most in a president, Bagas dismisses physical attributes entirely: "It's not about appearances. What matters is their mindset and principles. If they have principles and goals, they should stay straight, not zigzag." Despite limited engagement with formal politics, this articulation of leadership values reveals a fundamental understanding that transcends party allegiances.
As Indonesia continues its democratic journey, these young men's political perspectives challenge simplistic narratives about youth voting patterns. Their story reveals that even as they inherit party loyalties and respond to carefully crafted campaign images, they maintain distinct expectations for governance. Their political identities may be community-influenced, but their hopes for Indonesia—progress, welfare, reduced corruption, and principled leadership—reflect universal aspirations that political scientists would recognize in democracies worldwide.