By: Abdul Aziz *
The term “millennial / millennial” generation comes from two historians and American writers William Strauss and Neil Howe. Literally there is no specific demographic in determining this one generation group. However, experts classify them based on those born in 1980 – 1990 or at the beginning of 2000 onwards. Talk about Millennials, closely related to the 2019 Election that is getting closer. Millennial is a large segment of voters at this democratic party. Millennial voters’ voice in the KPU Final Voters List (DPT) is around 34.2 percent of the total 152 million voters. Its existence is predicted to determine the political direction of the Indonesian nation in the future. While based on voter behavior, millennial groups are rational and critical voters. They prefer leaders who have credibility, capability, vision of the future of Indonesia, are simple, honest and loved by the people and of course will choose leaders who have proven achievements.
Political experts with a view to the millennial vote can determine the outcome of the upcoming 2019 election. Ella S. Prihatini, Doctoral Candidate for the University of Western Australia, at the end of 2017 conducted a study of Indonesia’s millennial behavior which was entering the political year 2018-2019. The result, in an article entitled “Mapping the Political Preferences of Indonesia’s Youth”, stated that most millennial generations whose consciousness grew in the reform era were very open to the values of gender equality, politically independent, and daring to choose different political ideologies from their families. . They access the internet to obtain information and actively seek change.
Meanwhile, the results of a recent survey conducted by the Center for Political Communication Studies (CPCS) stated that Candidates for President Petahana Joko Widodo (Jokowi) – KH Ma’ruf Amin became the most preferred millennial generation. The pair of candidates for Jokowi-KH Ma’ruf Amin earned support up to 49.3 percent compared to Prabowo-Sandi who received 28.8 percent. The CPCS survey using the Multistage Random Sampling survey method with a margin of error of ± 2.9 percent and a 95 percent confidence level was carried out from January 2 to 11, 2019 with 1,200 respondents representing the entire Province. Beginner and Millennial voters aged between 17 and 35 years included 34.3 percent of respondents.
Based on previous research by Ella S. Prihatini, there was a common thread between the behavior of millennial voters and the results of the CPCS survey which stated that Jokowi’s candidate became the most preferred millennial generation. Jokowi’s figure is credible, has capabilities, full of vision – mission, simple, honest and proven to be outstanding in the era of his administration. In addition, many aspects have become an attraction for millennial on Jokowi’s figure. The initial appearance on the national political stage has been favored by the millennial generation in terms of communication methods. Jokowi who is active on social media has an account on every social media platform, from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to Youtube. Jokowi is also diligent in making blog videos (vlogs) from relaxing moments at home to official state events. Like a vlogger, Jokowi also used this method several times to endorse a number of local MSME products.
Not only actively blogging and social media, Jokowi’s style like riding a Chopper motorbike and fond of metal music is very appropriate for the millennial generation. His distinctive style that appears relaxed on many occasions, is considered successful in gaining the attention of the millennial generation. Last April 2018, Jokowi chose to ride an electric motorcycle during a visit to the Agats region of Papua. Shortly after that, Jokowi also rode a motorbike during a work visit in Sukabumi, West Java. On this occasion, he performed by driving a Chopper type motorbike brand Royald Enfield Bullet 350 cc. Then, at the opening of the Asian Games in August 2018, Jokowi appeared riding a Yamaha FZ1. Finally, Jokowi also rode a motorcycle during a work visit to Tangerang. He brought a Kawasaki W175 custom motorcycle tracker with a dominant green color to Pasar Anyar, Tangerang, Banten.
In addition to motorcycles, in terms of appearance Jokowi often wear sneakers. In his Youtube account #JKWVlog edition Sneakers Story, Jokowi explained the reason for choosing these shoes. Besides shoes, the jackets worn by Jokowi are also not the same as other public figures. He several times actually wore a jacket style that was generally favored by young people. There are several jackets worn by Jokowi and then booming in the market, such as the Bomber and the Bulls Syndicate. Jokowi also wore a parka jacket made by Ame Raincoat as one of his small steps towards local businesses.
This is the millennial style of Jokowi’s figure which was recorded during 2018. His appearance and impartiality are indeed very close to the millennial generation. Senior Research Center for Political Research at LIPI, Siti Zuhro, also considered Jokowi’s style as such to be the provision of the President to increase his electability in the 2019 Presidential Election. This further consecrated Jokowi as Millennial choice candidate.
*) The author is a student of one of State Universities in Jakarta