Mr Ridwan and Mr Pramono have both come under fire for inappropriate tweets made in the past. In 2010, Mr Ridwan made a play on words implying that the Indonesian House of Representatives stood for “Dada Paha Rata” or women with flat chests and small thighs. He also made jokes about peeking up skirts using mirrors and suggested checking the size of a customer service representative’s chest before opening a bank account. Similarly, Mr Pramono made jokes about breasts and also faced backlash for his tweets.
Both men have faced criticism from netizens who have circulated screenshots of their tweets and called out their inappropriate behavior. In response, Mr Pramono was unapologetic, stating that many people used Twitter to post jokes around 2010. However, Mr Ridwan has expressed regret for his past tweets and called on netizens to move on, stating that he was using the platform more freely before becoming a public official.
One of Mr Ridwan’s past tweets referred to the parliament as “people’s deceit council”, sparking further criticism. Actor Fedi Nuril reposted the tweet and commented on Mr Ridwan’s style of competing in politics. Mr Ridwan has acknowledged his past behavior and expressed remorse for his tweets, emphasizing that they were made before he became a public official and was using the platform more freely.
The upcoming local elections in November hold high stakes for Indonesia, with the outcomes potentially shaping the political landscape and influencing how the national government works with regional governments. Analysts have highlighted the importance of these elections and how they could impact the future political dynamics in the country. It is essential for candidates and public officials to be mindful of their past actions and statements, as they can come under scrutiny in the lead-up to elections.
