Indonesia’s Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka has firmly denied allegations that his younger brother, Kaesang Pangarep, received a private jet trip to the U.S. as a form of gratification from Singapore’s e-commerce giant Shopee. The collaboration between the Solo City Government, Solo TechnoPark, and Shopee was "purely professional," Gibran asserted.
Key Takeaways
- Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Indonesia’s VP-elect, denies any link between his brother’s private jet trip and Shopee deals.
- Kaesang Pangarep, Gibran’s younger brother, traveled to the U.S. using a private jet owned by a company under Sea Limited, which also owns Shopee.
- Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) initially planned to summon Kaesang but later backtracked.
- Political tensions in Indonesia are high, with recent demonstrations against lawmakers’ attempts to overturn a Constitutional Court ruling.
Gibran’s Denial
Gibran, who served as Mayor of Surakarta (also known as Solo) from 2021 to 2024, emphasized that the city’s collaborations with Shopee were strictly professional. These collaborations included the inauguration of the Shopee Solo Creative & Innovation Hub at Solo Technopark in December 2021.
The Private Jet Controversy
Kaesang Pangarep recently faced scrutiny for traveling to the U.S. using a private jet with his wife, Erina Gudono. In late August 2024, Erina posted a photo on Instagram from the window of a Gulfstream G650 private jet, which reportedly belonged to Garena Online, a company under Sea Limited.
When questioned about any potential links between the jet trip and deals made with Shopee during his tenure as mayor, Gibran dismissed the allegations as "nonsense."
Legal and Political Reactions
Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) initially announced plans to summon Kaesang for clarification but later retracted the decision. However, the KPK stated it would continue to investigate reports of possible gratuity acceptance.
Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi defended Kaesang’s use of the jet, claiming it was owned by a friend and justified due to Erina’s pregnancy. He also noted that Kaesang is a private citizen and not subject to laws affecting public officials.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, Gibran and Kaesang’s father, commented briefly, stating, "every citizen is equal before the law."
Political Tensions in Indonesia
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions in Indonesia. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in several cities to express dissatisfaction after lawmakers attempted to overturn a Constitutional Court ruling. If successful, the move would have allowed Kaesang to run in Indonesia’s upcoming gubernatorial elections.