Indonesian K-pop fans rally for presidential candidate Anies

Hera SpA

08/02/2024 05:45

By Tommy Ardiansyah and Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
       JAKARTA, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Indonesian presidential
candidate Anies Baswedan's young supporters are borrowing
elements from their favourite music genre K-pop to boost his
popularity, swapping photocards and light sticks decorated with
his face before the Feb. 14 poll.
    Anies is up against frontrunner Defence Minister Prabowo
Subianto and ex-Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo in vying
for the support of the 205 million Indonesians registered to
vote.
    With government data showing that more than half of these
voters are millennials and Gen Z - people born between 1981 and
2012 - all three candidates have ramped up their social media
presence, and especially TikTok, to reach as many young voters
as possible.
     Anies, however, has taken it one step further by imitating
K-pop singers and conducting live-streams from his car, a tactic
his supporters say validates their K-pop-influenced campaigning.
    "It all started with a TikTok live that Anies did one day,"
said Hera Putri Haris, a 22-year-old Anies supporter who was
carrying plastic cups and fans plastered with his image.
    "Most K-pop idols, after performing in music shows, they do
similar live-streams."
    In addition to the Anies-branded giveaways which include
posters and banners, some supporters fund food trucks at
campaign events.
    K-pop inspired political rallies have become more common as
the South Korean music genre sweeps the globe. K-pop fans
rallied in Thailand's anti-government movement in 2020, while
K-pop fans in the United States raised funds for the Black Lives
Matter movement.
    Anies' campaign team did not respond to a request for
comment but event organiser Muhammad Rasyid Al Kautsar said he
believes the cultural phenomenon can help rally supporters.

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EXPLAINER-How will Indonesia's presidential election play out?  
  ID:nL4N3EN2JW 
FACTBOX-Candidates for Indonesia's presidential election   
 ID:nL1N3D70DE 
Indonesia's Anies enjoys late uptick in presidential race   
 ID:nL4N3ES0ML 
Indonesia's Ganjar faces battle to overcome Jokowi's election
betrayal     ID:nL4N3ER2JH 
Once disgraced, military man Prabowo eyes Indonesia presidency
after makeover     ID:nL4N3ES3GZ 
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 (Writing by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and
Miral Fahmy)
 ((Widianto.Stanley@thomsonreuters.com;))