Medan, Indonesia – On a blisteringly hot and thunderous day in the city of Medan, fans took off their T-shirts and stood shoulder-to-shoulder to get a better look at one of Indonesia's most famous rock bands.
“Don't forget to spread the virus of peace throughout Indonesia,” Akadi Wira Satriaj, better known as Kaka, frontman and lead vocalist of Slank, said as he descended on Istana Maimun, the palace of the Deir Sultanate. He shouted to a thousand people. , rock out with your favorite bands.
As Kaka crouched near the edge of the stage, shaking hands and fist-bumping excited fans, the crowd known as “Slankers” roared in approval and posed for selfies with their idol.
But while the atmosphere was exciting, Slank didn't come to Medan, on the western Indonesian island of Sumatra, just to put on a good show.
In Indonesia, there is a tradition for presidential and vice presidential candidates to involve popular musicians in their campaigns to increase their chances of winning.
“Political elites and political parties have actually been using artists to gain support and votes for a long time,” said Steve, who played guitar in the Indonesian indie band Alone at Last from 2002 to 2013. , says Indonesian language teacher Hikmawan “Indra” Safra. He studied at the University of New England.
“It's pretty hard to gauge whether it's effective without waiting until the election results are in. Still, it's difficult to know for sure whether a candidate's victory is a result of the votes of fans of the artists they support. Because voting is secret. So who knows?
Slank's performance was planned to coincide with the visit to the city of presidential candidate and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and vice presidential candidate and former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs MD Mahfud.
natural fit
For some supporters, the concert was the perfect blend of music and politics.
Construction workers Johnny and Dian told Al Jazeera that they had been slankers all their lives and were big supporters of Ganjar.
Johnny, 30, said: “We like their songs because they are easy to listen to, easy to understand, and appeal to young people.” “Slank often comes to Medan to perform, and we go to see them too.”
Dian, also 30, added that he likes Slank because he “sings from the heart,” adding that Slank will vote for Ganjar and his party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
For Dian, the band and the candidates are a natural fit. He pointed out that while Slank is concerned with social justice, the PDI-P, a secular nationalist party, has traditionally been concerned with the interests and rights of workers across Indonesia.
“Ganjar will work for the people and bring about change for the Indonesian people. He supports grassroots workers more than other candidates,” Dian said.
Slank was founded in 1983 by a group of then-Jakarta teenagers, and its name comes from the word “slangean'', meaning “free man'' in Betawi, the language of the capital's Betawi people. .
Slank has also long been known for the political nature of many of its songs, and in 2014 and 2019, when it ran for president on a PDI-P ticket, it was also used by current Indonesian President Joko Widodo ( He supported Jokowi (also known as Jokowi).
Ganjar is currently the PDI-P presidential candidate (Jokowi is serving his maximum two terms), and Slank has endorsed him ahead of the February 14 presidential election.
“They want to create a perception among the public that if they don't support PDI-P and Gunjar, they will be left out or 'uncool.' [by saying]”Look, Slank is supporting him, so why doesn't everyone else?” Instructor Safra said of the alliance.
Also in the audience at the concert were market sellers Ratna, 34, and Lisa, 28, who said they came to the event to support Ganjal, who she praised as an “intelligent candidate.” .
In his campaign pledge, Ganjar said he would improve working lives for Indonesians, including raising salaries, repaying farmers' debts and eliminating corruption and nepotism that have long plagued Indonesia's labor market.
He also promised to distribute social assistance more evenly and broadly across the archipelago of 278 million people.
“The cost of living is rising in Indonesia, and essential goods are becoming more expensive,” Ratna said. “Rice and cooking oil are now more expensive even though salaries are still low. We want salaries to be fair and that is why we support Gunjal.”
No warranty
But not everyone in the crowd was convinced.
Mulia, 20, a communication student at the State Islamic University of North Sumatra, told Al Jazeera that she came to the concert to see Srank, but had not yet decided who to vote for.
“Maybe I will choose Ganjar. He seems close to young people and if elected, he might do more for Indonesia's youth.”
“It depends on how I feel when I meet him. If I like him, I'll vote for him.”
Gunjal himself appeared only briefly at the concert.
Performing a traditional Sumatran welcome dance, he made his way through the crowd with a wreath around his neck, greeting supporters who shouted and clasped hands while taking selfies with his cellphone.
But although Gunjal stood next to Kaka and enthusiastically clapped along to the music, he did not address the crowd and immediately left for another event with his running mate, Mahfud. I left.
Other candidates are also hoping that the power of celebrity will lead to votes.
Former defense minister Prabowo Subianto and vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabumin Raka, Jokowi's eldest son and current mayor of Surakarta or Solo, have been supported by Indonesian rock band Dewa 19. .
Meanwhile, Roma Irama, a type of Indonesian folk music known as the “King of Dangdut,'' has expressed support for former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and Vice Chairman of the People's Representative Council Muhaimin Iskandar.
“Slank U”
Back in Istana Maimun, 19-year-old Lufti and his five friends were waving flags with the Slank logo, but they said they were a mix of Prabowo and Anyes voters and had no intention of voting for Ganjar. He said no.
“We are hardcore slankers because their songs are great and so fun to listen to,” Lufti said.
“I will not vote for Ganjar because Prabowo is my idol,” he added. “I will always choose Prabowo because he has sworn to keep the country safe and protect the national interests.”
Tio was at the concert with his wife, Cindy, wearing a Slank-themed T-shirt with the words “Slank U” embossed on it.
They said they came there “first to meet Srank and then to meet Gunjar”.
“I love Slunk because they are very creative musicians and they preach a message of peace,” the 20-year-old entrepreneur told Al Jazeera.
“They make songs for the people and were always rooting for Jokowi when he was running for president,” Tio said of his favorite band.
But Tio's endorsement also highlights the potential risks politicians face when seeking support from rock bands.
“I am going to vote for Mr. Gunjal because of Mr. Surank’s support,” Tio said. “But if they decide to support another candidate like Prabowo, I will follow Srank and support Prabowo as well.”