Can Indonesian Presidential Candidates Save the World with Blockchain Tech?

Laxfed Paulacy here, diving into the world of Indonesian presidential candidates and their new found love for blockchain technology. *Sigh*, it seems like everyone and their dog is jumping on the blockchain bandwagon these days. Our lovely candidates Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who seem to be leading in the polls, have decided to cozy up with Saakuru Labs, the creators of the gas-free Saakuru blockchain. The goal? To entice the younger demographic with flashy blockchain and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

In a bid to jazz up their election campaign, Prabowo and Gibran have teamed up with Saakuru Labs to develop a gaming app that will hopefully encourage the youth to take an interest in the election and get a crash course in Web3 technologies. The idea is to create an innovative platform to connect with the tech-savvy, TikTok-loving generation and give their election campaign a much-needed boost. Yes, because blockchain and NFTs are the new black, apparently.

The project, playfully named “Konco Kulo Gibran: THE DUO”, comes with a smartphone app and some colorful animations of the two presidential candidates. The aim is to engage the younger demographic, which makes up approximately half of the population. According to the candidates, this initiative is part of a larger program called “HILIRISASI DIGITAL,” or digital downstreaming, which aims to get Indonesian citizens more involved in the tech industry. Good luck with that, considering the current state of the world.

The app utilizes NFT gating technologies to regulate access and participation, with the hope of increasing the public’s understanding of blockchain technologies. Additionally, the project also aims to improve English proficiency, create awareness about Web3 technologies, and showcase how AI can be an effective learning tool. Man, they’re really throwing everything and the kitchen sink into this one, aren’t they?

Prabowo and Gibran have expressed their belief that this initiative is crucial in exposing the younger generations to new technologies and engaging them in exciting new opportunities. They’re hoping that this partnership with Saakuru Labs will demonstrate their commitment to integrating innovative technologies for a brighter, more technologically adept Indonesia, offering enhanced global work opportunities and a forward-looking perspective. Ah, the good old “brighter future” rhetoric. Classic.

This partnership is being flaunted as one of the most visible efforts in the crypto industry to showcase how blockchain technologies can be used for educational and developmental purposes. It’s all part of the broader “Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision” that was formulated by the current President Joko Widodo in 2019, as part of a plan to nurture a more tech-savvy population. You know, because the youth are the future and all that jazz.

And speaking of the future, Prabowo-Gibran’s clever use of Web3 technologies might just give them the edge they need in the upcoming election. Prabowo has been leading in most opinion polls for several months, but his lead over his closest competitor has been narrowing in recent weeks. So, their decision to dip their toes into the blockchain pond may prove to be a stroke of genius. Or perhaps a desperate attempt to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Saakuru Labs Chairwoman and co-founder Nelly Sutjiadi gushed about how it’s an honor to participate in Prabowo-Gibran’s blockchain initiative. She spouted some PR-friendly jargon about inspiring, educating, and opening up new opportunities for the youth. Because, you know, youth empowerment and all that jazz.

Now, onto the nitty-gritty details. Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, will hold simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on Feb. 14. And guess what? Almost 205 million of the country’s 270 million population are eligible to participate in the vote. So, you can bet that the candidates are pulling out all the stops to appeal to the masses.

In conclusion, it seems that Prabowo and Gibran are betting big on blockchain and NFTs to win the hearts of the younger voters. Whether this will give them the edge they need remains to be seen. But hey, as Socrates once said, “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” Perhaps the same can be said about political campaigns. Less flashy gimmicks, more substance. But who am I kidding? This is politics we’re talking about.