Didit Prabowo, Lebaran Safari, and Prabowo's Political Bridge
Didit Prabowo, Lebaran Safari and Prabowo’s Political Bridge
The Lebaran safari of Ragowo Hediprasetyo Djojohadikusumo, better known as Didit Hediprasetyo, has come under the spotlight. Didit is considered to be carrying out his father’s political duties.
Didit has so far stayed away from political activities during Prabowo’s three presidential election contests since 2009. The only child’s step of coming to the families of previous presidents carries a political message.
Since Eid al-Fitr on Saturday (21/3), the President’s only son has diligently conducted safaris, starting with meetings with Anies Baswedan, the 5th President of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), the 7th President Joko Widodo, to the wife of the 4th President Gus Dur, Sinta Wahid.
Didit even gathered all the children of presidents during his 41st birthday celebration on 22 March 2025.
Director of Arus Survei Indonesia (ASI), Ali Rif’an, assesses that Didit’s Lebaran safari cannot be separated from his father’s position as President.
According to Ali, Didit’s safari can be seen as a bridge for political communication between Prabowo and previous presidents, both directly and indirectly.
Ali believes that Didit’s figure sends a positive message to the public. Didit brings a warm nuance between President Prabowo and his predecessors.
“Moreover, previously President Prabowo had preceded it by inviting former Presidents to the Palace,” Ali said when contacted on Wednesday (25/3).
Ali stated that Didit clearly represents Prabowo’s personal figure. According to Ali, the message would be different if the safari was carried out by another close associate of Prabowo.
“Why Didit? Because he surely represents the singular figure: Prabowo personally. Meanwhile, if someone else besides Didit is tasked, political speculation could widen,” he said.
Ali assesses that the harmony of Prabowo’s political communication is important amid economic conditions and geopolitical situations.
According to Ali, the blockage in the Strait of Hormuz distribution route (supplier of 20-25 percent of the world’s oil) certainly has effects on various countries, including Indonesia. Moreover, Prabowo also has several strategic programmes that are vulnerable to criticism, such as the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG).
“Thus, Didit’s safari becomes important as an effort to weave fluid communication and build bonding with former presidents,” Ali said.
Potential successor?
Director of Trias Politika Strategis Agung Baskoro instead assesses Didit’s Lebaran safari as a personal initiative. Although indirectly, this step is seen as making him a connector for Prabowo’s communication.
Agung reflects on Didit’s initiative to invite the children of presidents and vice presidents to his 41st birthday celebration a year earlier.
“He often becomes a connector or bridge for informal political communication to maintain solidity or unity among our elites consistently,” Agung said on Thursday (26/3).
According to him, Didit continues his father’s style of political communication that embraces all parties, including political opponents. For example, Didit did this by taking selfies with Mahfud, Jusuf Kalla, to Anies Baswedan.
“So he is continuing, yes, the policy or legacy of his father, President Prabowo, to embrace and weave communication with anyone without barriers,” Agung said.
However, on the other hand, Agung admits to capturing a political signal being carried out by Didit in several of his safaris. According to him, Didit may be testing the waters to start entering the world or political activities.
According to Agung, Didit has the potential to become a successor as an informal replacement for his father, to maintain good communication and relations with political opponents. Although on the other hand, the right political momentum could bring a new career for Didit.
“And this is one of the preconditions, yes, regardless of the fact that we know Mas Didit keeps his distance from politics in a formal sense, but informally he has already done it,” he said.