Jakarta – Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, and his wife Erina Gudono have faced significant backlash from Indonesian social media users for their lavish trip to the United States while massive domestic protests against government policies are ongoing.
The couple’s journey coincides with widespread demonstrations opposing the proposed revision of the Regional Election Law (Pilkada Law), which aims to overturn a Constitutional Court decision regarding the threshold for regional head elections and age limit requirements for candidates. If the bill is passed, this revision could potentially allow Kaesang, who does not currently meet the age requirements, to run for deputy governor in the 2024 East Java Pilkada.
He is rumored to be the running mate of former Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi with the support of the Advanced Indonesia Coalition or KIM Plus.
Allegations of Private Jet Travel
Many netizens on social media platform X have speculated that Erina and Kaesang used a private jet for their trip to the United States. This suspicion arose from Erina’s Instagram story uploads, which show images of a plane window that did not resemble the typical windows found on commercial aircraft. Online searches revealed that the window matched those found on Gulfstream private jets.
Netizens’ suspicions were further fueled by a similar upload from Erina’s sister, Nadya Sofia Gudono, who also shared a photo from the cockpit area of a plane. Through online investigations, netizens identified the specific Gulfstream G650 aircraft, tail number N588SE, believed to have been used by Kaesang and his wife. Flight data corroborated their presence in the United States on August 20, 2024.
Netizens also discovered that renting a Gulfstream private jet for a one-way trip could cost approximately Rp4 billion. These findings have led to widespread criticism of the couple’s perceived extravagance.
Displaying a Luxurious Lifestyle
While in the United States, Erina Gudono shared Instagram stories showcasing a luxurious lifestyle. She posted photos of herself and Kaesang enjoying bread costing Rp400,000 at Grand Central Market in Los Angeles. She also shared photos of shopping for baby essentials with her older sister.
These uploads have drawn criticism from netizens, who argue that the couple’s enjoyment of such luxuries is insensitive to the struggles faced by many Indonesians.
Erina’s Continued Studies
Erina Gudono has also shared a photo on a hotel balcony while facing a laptop displaying the website of the University of Pennsylvania, where she is pursuing a master’s degree. However, netizens have questioned the focus of her Instagram posts, suggesting that they prioritize travel and leisure over academic pursuits, particularly during a time of significant domestic political unrest.
