Do Indonesian Presidential Candidates Really Think Blockchain Tech Will Convince Voters?

Lunch is for wimps. — Gordon Gekko.

Ah, the Indonesian Presidential candidates are jumping on the blockchain bandwagon, hoping to woo voters with some tech-savvy strategy. In a move that’s as surprising as it is ambitious, the Prabowo-Gibran ticket has joined forces with Saakuru Labs, the brains behind the gas-free Saakuru blockchain, to develop a gaming app. This app aims to not only encourage the youth to engage in the election process but also educate them about Web3 technologies. Essentially, they’re playing the blockchain card to attract younger voters.

Dubbed “Konco Kulo Gibran: THE DUO”, this collaboration between the candidates and Saakuru Labs is set to feature a smartphone app with vibrant animations of the two presidential hopefuls. The goal? To capture the attention of Indonesia’s burgeoning youth population, which makes up about half of the entire country. According to the candidates, this initiative is part of a broader digital downstreaming program known as “HILIRISASI DIGITAL”. The aim is to stimulate interest in the tech industry among Indonesian citizens and provide educational opportunities through this project.

The app will utilize NFT gating technologies to regulate access and participation, with an eye on enhancing the public’s understanding of blockchain technologies. Additionally, the project seeks to improve English proficiency among Indonesians, raise awareness about Web3 technologies, and showcase the effectiveness of AI as a learning tool. Quite the ambitious plan, isn’t it?

Prabowo and Gibran tout this initiative as a means to expose Indonesia’s youth to new technologies and provide them with opportunities to harness their potential. Their rhetoric speaks of a commitment to integrating innovative technologies for a more technologically adept Indonesia, offering enhanced global work opportunities and a forward-looking perspective.

This move isn’t just about grabbing headlines; it’s a strategic play in a neck-and-neck electoral race. Prabowo, who secured President Joko’s son Gibran as his running mate last October, has been leading in most opinion polls for quite some time. However, his lead over the closest competitor has been narrowing recently. The decision to rope in Joko’s son as a running mate was considered by many as a stroke of genius. And now, their campaign to connect with younger voters through technology might just prove to be another inspired move.

Nelly Sutjiadi, Chairwoman and co-founder of Saakuru Labs, expressed her delight in participating in this blockchain initiative. She emphasized the commitment to leveraging their expertise in blockchain and interactive platforms to inspire, educate, and open up new opportunities for the youth. The partnership, as she sees it, symbolizes the dedication to fostering a tech-savvy future generation, fully equipped to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

If this initiative pays off, it could serve as a testament to how blockchain technologies can be used for educational and developmental purposes. It aligns with the broader “Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision” formulated by incumbent President Joko Widodo in 2019, as part of a plan to nurture the growth of a more tech-savvy population.

As Indonesia gears up for its simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on February 14, the race is certainly on. With nearly 205 million eligible voters, the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce. This move by the Prabowo-Gibran ticket to leverage Web3 technologies could indeed give them the edge they need in what’s expected to be a tightly contested vote.

So, will blockchain tech be the ace up their sleeve, or is it just a shot in the dark? Only time will tell.