By Serafina Ariel
Turning 17 is a milestone for the common Indonesian teenager: becoming legal, being able to drive, and finally acquiring the right to vote. Indonesia’s eligible voting age is among the lowest in the world, and even the lowest compared to other Southeast Asian countries. This is especially significant this year as just a few weeks ago, on April 17th, 2019, the Indonesian elections were held. Millions of people from all regions of Indonesia, including a new wave of just-turned-17 voters, cast their votes for the president and vice president, members of the house of representatives (Anggota Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat), regional representative council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah), and regional people’s representative council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat). But beyond the excitement, a major concern arose: there was the fear that abstention rates could exceed 30 percent.
Half of the electorate is composed of millennials and younger voters (17-35 years old). However, this voter segment is often unpredictable, and some still view politics as a form of entertainment. It can be, but only to an extent (emphasis on extent). As invested as Indonesian youth is in the Internet, they are often called netizens, or citizens of the net. The use of the term is general, but sometimes mocking, often used to describe those who are less informed and as a result quick to make light of more serious matters.
One example is the creation of an unofficial virtual third pair of candidates for president and vice president: Nurhadi-Aldo, based on actual people (in reality, Nurhadi is a masseur and herbal juice seller). Despite the seemingly verifiable campaign, closer inspection would reveal that its message is far from political. The campaign logo is satirical, and sexual and rude undertones are evident in many of its slogans. Although this entertainment may help relieve the tension brewing in the real political world, this separation with what’s virtual and what’s not could even discourage young voters to actually engage in politics, due to their lack of information and sense of apathy.
Nonetheless, young voters are still active regarding the elections, even if they are only virtually. What’s important is to draw the line between satire and plain ignorance, and recognize the great impact that young voters have (and will have) on the 2019 elections.
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