On February 14th 2024, Indonesians went to polling stations to vote for their new president, vice president, parliamentary and local representatives. This election marked the first change in leadership in 10 years for the world’s third-largest democracy.
The media extensively covered the Indonesian elections, particularly focusing on the newly elected President Prabowo Subianto.
The volume of international and local attention on Prabowo, demonstrates the popularity of his profile, and the rising global influence of Indonesia on the world stage, diplomatically and economically.
Prabowo’s victory prompted congratulations from international leaders from countries such as India, Australia, Thailand, and China. The media highlighted the global interest in strengthening ties with Indonesia. This suggests the influence Indonesia has on global energy outcomes.
With international leaders congratulating the newly elected president, doors to new markets and opportunities for collaborations on a global scale will allow brands to enhance their global presence.
Energy policies which caught media attention
The media reported that Prabowo supports transitioning away from coal power and banning exports of raw nickel. Prabowo’s victory may shape Indonesia’s stance on cleaner energy and influence global efforts to combat climate change.
Indonesia is a major player in nickel production, a critical material for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The country aspires to be a key player in EV battery production, making Prabowo’s role crucial for shaping Indonesia’s energy transition.
Online conversations around Prabowo and his energy policies saw peaks due to his stance on nickel policies. Prevalent themes covered by the media during this period helps brands to identify relevant messaging and product offerings.
Brands can also explore partnerships, investments, or expansions in Indonesia’s growing EV market to leverage the country’s influence and resources.
Also read: OrangeTee Embraces Digital Innovation to Empower Property Seekers at Elevate Convention 2024
Social media serves as a proxy of public perception
The most prominent policies covered by influential media publishers during the elections were related to energy, foreign relations, and the economy.
Indonesian netizens’ political opinions on social media aligned with these editorial narratives. This overlap suggests that journalists have an influence on what netizens consume, perceive and form opinions on.
With media influencing public perception, monitoring netizen acceptance and appeal of government policies will guide brands in appealing to the local and global markets.
For example, the coverage of Indonesia being a key player in global climate efforts, may influence netizens to prefer brands with environmentally friendly or sustainable strategies.
Aligning with government policies by contributing to green initiatives, community development and environmental conservation will help brands enhance credibility and foster positive relationships with local stakeholders.
