Academic: Vice President Gibran's Attitude Towards JK Demonstrates Political Maturity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A political communication expert from the University of Indonesia and Executive Director of the Nusakom Pratama Institute, Ari Junaedi, has commended the communication of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who referred to the 10th and 12th Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, as his senior, mentor, and idol. Ari stated that this statement demonstrates Gibran’s increasingly mature political approach, while also praising Gibran’s calm and polite responses to public questions regarding the current political situation, without being provoked into escalating tensions. “Gibran was not provoked by the media’s baiting questions, which, if responded to emotionally, would only sharpen the national political atmosphere further. In this regard, Gibran has learned a great deal about proper communication patterns,” said Ari in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday. Ari also noted that Gibran’s political communication is inseparable from his efforts to cool the “heat” of recent political tensions, particularly as the public suffers from price increases, such as non-subsidised fuel (BBM), non-subsidised LPG, and plastic prices due to global geopolitical influences. “In communication theory, Gibran’s efforts seem aimed at breaking the spiral of silence. From Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, a German political expert, Gibran appears to want to break the dominance of the prevailing public opinion about himself and his family,” he said. In the past week, statements by the 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) regarding the 7th President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, have been in the public spotlight. While Jokowi responded with “I am nobody, just a village person,” the public now feels reassured by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming’s remarks during his visit to Papua. Gibran described JK as his senior, mentor, and idol. “Pak JK is my senior. Pak JK is also my mentor. He is very experienced. He has made many contributions to the nation, especially in conflict areas,” said Gibran when providing a statement after inspecting Sorong District Hospital in Southwest Papua on Wednesday (22/4). Gibran also regarded JK as a senior and mentor figure, as well as an example for all. Due to JK’s role, Gibran expressed his gratitude for the input and evaluations from the Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). “So, he (JK) is an example for us all, and yes, I am very grateful for the inputs and evaluations from Pak JK,” he said. Gibran even considered JK, who accompanied his father Joko Widodo as the 12th Vice President of Indonesia, as his idol. “Pak JK is my idol,” he added.