Presidential candidate Joko Widodo, left, has given up his everyman checkered shirt for a suit in debates with Prabowo Subianto, who sports the Sukaro look. (EPA Photo/Adi Weda)
Jakarta. For the past two presidential debates, leading candidate Joko Widodo has elected to dress in a formal dark suit and red tie.
While this look might be de rigueur during campaigning in elections in Europe or the United States, for the Indonesian media this was a departure from the norm — and certainly a significant change from Joko’s trademark checkered shirt and simple black trousers, his usual attire for which he has become famous.
His opponent, former military general Prabowo Subianto, stuck to his classic wardrobe: a plain Sukarno-style white shirt and peci, the traditional Indonesian brimless cap.
Dress and appearance are important in Indonesian society, and in a high-profile public event like a debate, the candidates’ fashion choice could impact voters’ perceptions, thus affecting the poll outcome.
Even Joko admitted that his choice of a suit was out of the ordinary.
“I was heading to the car wearing my usual checkered shirt earlier, but my team asked me to put on a suit,” Joko told New Mandala magazine. “When I arrived here many people didn’t even recognize me.”
Viewers and analysts couldn’t agree on whether the suit made him look like a respectable statesman or if he appeared awkward or uncomfortable, as his uninspired oratory on Sunday night seemed to indicate.
“I used to complain about Joko’s shirt,” said Felicia, an Indonesian student. “It’s nice to see that he’s dressed like a president [now].”
Joko’s checkered shirt casts him as a down-to-earth man of the people, removed from the political establishment that most Indonesians are out of touch with. The decision to don a suit runs counter to this perception he has fostered of himself, critics contend.
“Joko always portrays himself as the common man, so he wouldn’t always consider trying to look well dressed,” says Michael Umbas, who was part of former trade minister Gita Wirjawan’s presidential campaign team. “When he chose to wear a suit that was out of his personal character, but that’s not so important as long as he keeps his smile and is friendly on stage.”
On the other hand, Prabowo evoked the image of former strongmen of the past like Suharto and Sukarno, who wore similar clothes during their long rules as president. This is in line with the Prabowo campaign’s emphasis on security and stability, presenting the candidate as a strong leader.
“Ironically, I like what Prabowo was wearing,” Felicia says. “It’s not a suit, but on him it’s simple enough that he seems approachable, yet formal enough for a presidential debate.”
“I think he wanted to look heroic in public,” says Umbas.
Other analysts and citizens have questioned why neither of the two wore batik, the traditional Indonesian dress that is often customary for formal occasions.
Prabowo elected to stay the course with his wardrobe choices, reinforcing his image as a firm leader.
Joko’s gamble has yet to either backfire or pay off. It is still unclear whether he has succeeded in portraying himself as a statesman or whether he has squandered his populist image.
By Giacomo Tognini on 07:35 am Jun 18, 2014
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