Indonesia election 2024: in snub to Jokowi, rock band backs underdog Ganjar to ‘keep democracy alive’

Indonesia’s most famous rock band, Slank, has thrown its star power behind presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo in a high-profile snub to President Joko Widodo, marking a departure from its staunch support for the leader over the past decade.

“We need to keep democracy alive. For us, the [candidates] who fit that role are Ganjar and Mahfud,” said Slank’s guitarist Abdee at the band’s press conference in Jakarta on Saturday attended by Ganjar, a former governor of Central Java, and his running mate, chief security minister Mohammad Mahfud.

Widodo is constitutionally barred from running for a third term, but his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has joined front runner Prabowo Subianto’s ticket as his vice-presidential candidate for the February 14 election.

While Widodo has not officially endorsed defence minister Prabowo’s campaign, he has come under fire for his tacit support for his son’s ticket. He has also been accused of leveraging his influence to secure Gibran’s nomination and build his own political dynasty.

“It’s very easy to choose who we want to see as the next president these days by looking at the recent [political] manoeuvres,” said Ridho, another Slank guitarist. “For me personally, [we] cannot lose hope, and that’s why we put our hope in Ganjar and Mahfud.”

The five-member band, founded in 1983 and known for its political messaging, coined the popular song “Salam Dua Jari” (“Two Finger Salute”) in support of Widodo’s first presidential campaign back in 2014.

For some Slank fans, also known as Slankers, the band’s announcement to support Ganjar came as a surprise.

“[Slank] seemed to have had a close relationship with Jokowi for so many years,” said 25-year-old Adinda Pradana Putri, referring to Widodo by his