When Indonesian President Joko Widodo took office in 2014, his son initially resisted being involved in politics. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, his eldest son, was reluctant to be in the limelight and disagreed with his father’s decision to enter politics. Eventually, he begrudgingly attended his father’s inauguration after some persuasion from his grandmother.
Fast forward to the present day, Gibran Rakabuming Raka finds himself in a familiar situation but on the other side of the coin. On October 20, he will be inaugurated as the vice president of retired Gen. Prabowo Subianto, succeeding his father as the leader of Indonesia, a nation of 280 million people.
This story of political ascension and unintended involvement serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and how circumstances can change over time. It also sheds light on the complexities and dynamics within political families. From reluctant bystander to key player, Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s journey signifies a shift in roles and responsibilities that no one could have predicted.