Indonesian president’s son denies misconduct in US flight ‘hitched’ on friend’s jet

Updated at 6:05 a.m. ET on 2024-09-18

While appearing at the anti-corruption agency Tuesday, the Indonesian president’s youngest son denied allegations of misconduct for using a private jet to fly to the U.S, saying he had “hitched a ride” on a friend’s plane. 

Kaesang Pangarep, whose father is Indonesian leader Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, has faced a volley of criticism since the trip last month with his wife, Erina Gudono. 

A technology company allegedly gave Kaesang free use of the plane because of its business ties with him and his brother, Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

“We were just hitching a ride with a friend,” Kaesang told reporters at the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) headquarters, using the colloquial Indonesian term “nebeng” to refer to his free ride as he tried to play down the allegations.  

“I came here of my own volition to clarify the situation.”

Kaesang did not reveal the friend’s identity or the circumstances surrounding the arrangement to use the jet.

The 29-year-old jetted to the United States on Aug. 18 to drop off Erina, who was scheduled to begin her master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania, according to their quotes to the media and Instagram posts.

In fact, it was an Instagram post of Erina’s – featuring a photograph of the view from a plane window and text saying “USA here we go” – that set off the controversy, with social media playing an unanticipated role in fueling it. 

From the parts of the plane seen in the picture, online sleuths identified the aircraft as a Gulfstream G650, a luxury private jet. The revelation quickly sparked accusations that Kaesang had accepted an untoward favor.

The jet, many alleged, was owned by a company called SEA Group, the parent company of e-commerce giant Shopee.

A source from the SEA Group, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told BenarNews on Tuesday that the company owned the Gulfstream G650. However, on Wednesday, the same source said the plane was sold in December 2022 and was no longer owned by the company.

The SEA Group has a significant presence in Solo (Surakarta), where Gibran served as mayor until earlier this year. Shopee has launched several high-profile programs in Solo, aligning itself with the Jokowi family’s pro-business and development agenda.

Gibran, who is set to assume the vice presidency on Oct. 20 alongside former Gen. Prabowo Subianto as president, has denied any improper relationship between his family and Shopee.

The latest controversy comes at a delicate time for Jokowi, who has faced public criticism about his family’s growing political and business influence as he prepares to step down in October after two five-year terms as president, the maximum allowed by the constitution.

Jokowi has seen his legacy marred by perceptions of nepotism and cronyism, as his sons and close associates have risen to prominent positions of power. He has also come under fire for what critics say is a blatant attempt to cement a political dynasty. 

Erina’s timing, too, fueled anger. 

She posted the photo showing the view from the jet’s window around the time when thousands of Indonesians took to the streets to protest a proposed parliamentary bill. 

That bill would have allowed Kaesang to run in the Nov. 27 elections for posts of regional heads such as mayors, regents and governors, by expediting the eligibility of candidates. Many saw the proposal as being directly aimed at facilitating Kaesang, along with other government-connected politicians. 

Under pressure from the nationwide protests, the parliament ultimately shelved the bill, effectively preventing Kaesang from contesting.

His brother Gibran was able to contest for vice president after a dubious Constitutional Court decision last October, also on age-related eligibility. Gibran’s uncle, Anwar Usman, was chair of the Constitutional Court at the time of the October ruling. 

Erina’s other Instagram posts further fueled the backlash against the couple for their lavish lifestyle. One post showcased her purchasing a loaf of bread for approximately U.S. $25 (around 400,000 rupiah) and another featured an expensive baby stroller. 

Enraged Indonesians on social media platform X launched a coordinated effort last month to have her University of Pennsylvania scholarship revoked. 

Many of them compared Erina, a former model and Miss Indonesia contestant, to Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France known for her extravagant lifestyle and her role in catalyzing public unrest that led to the French Revolution.

Tessa Mahardika, a spokesperson for the KPK, said that two departments within the commission would review Kaesang’s case. 

“The directorate of gratification has 30 days to analyze and determine the status,” she said.

Jokowi offered a muted response when asked last week about his son’s private jet use: “All citizens are equal before the law.” 

The KPK, while acknowledging the public interest in the case, initially refrained from issuing a summons, stating that Kaesang was not a public official and therefore not subject to mandatory scrutiny. 

However, after receiving at least two formal complaints, the agency indicated it would review the matter.

Boyamin Saiman, head of the Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), an NGO, said Kaesang’s decision to come forward had been long overdue. 

“This issue has been swirling for weeks. It shouldn’t have taken this long for him to respond,” Boyamin told BenarNews. 

“The KPK should not be reluctant or afraid to investigate Kaesang in order to uncover the truth and ensure legal fairness,” Boyamin said.

UPDATE: This report has been updated to add a comment from the SEA Group source on the ownership of the Gulfstream G650.