Indonesia’s Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka has firmly denied allegations that his younger brother, Kaesang Pangarep, received a private jet ride to the U.S. as a form of gratification from Singapore’s e-commerce giant Shopee. Gibran asserted that the collaboration between the Solo City Government, Solo TechnoPark, and Shopee was “purely professional,” as reported by Tempo and Jakarta Globe.
Background
Gibran, the son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, served as Mayor of Surakarta (also known as Solo), Central Java, from 2021 to 2024. During his tenure, the city engaged in several collaborations with Shopee, including the establishment of an office in a city technopark. In December 2021, Shopee inaugurated the Shopee Solo Creative & Innovation Hub at Solo Technopark in Surakarta, with Gibran in attendance.
Solo and Shopee
While Gibran was in office, the city and Shopee undertook various projects together. One notable collaboration was the creation of the Shopee Solo Creative & Innovation Hub at Solo Technopark, which was inaugurated in December 2021. Gibran’s involvement in these projects was part of his official duties as mayor.
Travelled to U.S. using private jet
Kaesang, Gibran’s younger brother, recently faced scrutiny for travelling to the U.S. on a private jet with his wife, Erina Gudono. In late August 2024, Erina posted a photo on Instagram from the window of an aircraft, which the public identified as a Gulfstream G650 private jet. The jet was reportedly owned by Garena Online, a company under Sea Limited, which also owns Shopee. When questioned about any potential links between the jet ride and deals made with Shopee during his mayoral tenure, Gibran dismissed the allegations, stating, “You are talking nonsense. There is nothing like that,” according to Tempo.
“Every citizen is equal before the law”
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) initially announced plans to summon Kaesang for clarification regarding his use of the private jet but later backtracked. However, the KPK stated it would continue investigating reports of possible gratuity acceptance. Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi defended Kaesang, claiming the jet belonged to a friend and justified its use due to Erina’s eight-month pregnancy. He emphasised that Kaesang is a private citizen and not subject to laws governing public officials. President Jokowi commented, “Every citizen is equal before the law, that’s all.”
Political tensions in Indonesia
This controversy arises amidst heightened political tensions in Indonesia, with demonstrators taking to the streets in several cities to express dissatisfaction after lawmakers attempted to overturn a Constitutional Court ruling. If successful, Indonesia’s parliament would have effectively allowed Kaesang to run in the upcoming gubernatorial elections.
Fathership has contacted Shopee for comment.
