achieve the needed political agendas.31
The increasing trend of using political strategy by politicians in political campaigns often mentioned as changing socio-political contexts and media coverages.32 According to the Pew Research Center, 44% of the U.S. citizens relied on social media for political awareness about candidates in the 2016 presidential elections.33 They argued that there were almost 10 million followers of Trump on Twitter while Hillary Clinton had almost 7 million.34 On Facebook, Trump had 9 million were about double her number of followers. They also found by the Pew study that political candidates used Facebook for five to seven posts per day and used Twitter for 11 to 12 tweets per day.35
2.4. Introduction of Teman Ahok
In this study, the author focuses on Teman Ahok as volunteers who faithfully to support Ahok. Teman Ahok is a voluntary organization created by a group of young people who aim to help and guide Ahok in realizing advanced and humane New Jakarta.
Initially, Teman Ahok focused on collecting Jakarta ID cards (KTP) to promote Ahok to become the Governor of DKI Jakarta through an independent path in the 2017 Jakarta Election. Teman Ahok’s movement has received a Decree by the Ministry of Law and
31 Jesper Strömbäck and Spiro Kiousis, Political Public Relations. Principles and Applications, (New York: Routledge, 2011), p.325, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203864173, (accessed July 2, 2019).
32 Toril Aalberg, Frank Esser, Carsten Reinemann, Jesper Strömbäck, and Claes H. de Vreese (eds), Populist Political Communication in Europe, (New York: Routledge, 2016), p.206, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315623016, (accessed July 6, 2019).
33 Amy Mitchell et al, “The 2016 Presidential Campaign – a News Event That’s Hard to Miss,” Pew Research Center Journalism and Media, February 4, 2016, p. 7, https://www.journalism.org/2016/02/04/the-2016-presidential-campaign-a-news-event-thats-hard-to-miss/, (accessed June 30, 2019).
34 Ibid., p.3
35 Ibid., p.4
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Temanahok.com website. Teman Ahok movement cannot be separated from social media36 and ID collection, also in creating events in raising funds and selling Ahok merchandise.One of the modern political movements that succeeded in Jakarta started by Teman Ahok named Collecting 1 Million ID for Ahok. This movement originated from the loss of people’s trust in politicians, political parties and other political institutions based on the regional fund’s fraud issue.37 Ahok was delivering actions that engage public attention and give new hope to many people. In 2014, he resigned from Gerindra political party who helping him elected as Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta.38 After that, Ahok does not have a political party support to go forward as a candidate in the 2017 Governor election. He declared that he would run as independent, without backup from any political party.
Based on this situation, many volunteers set up in an organization called Teman Ahok. The main activities started is to collect 1 million ID (KTP) to support Ahok as an independent candidate if there is no political party supports him.39 Teman Ahok suggests supporting Ahok through their social media account and website. This social-media mobilization starts at the www.TemanAhok.com website; then delivering statements through different social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Besides, Teman Ahok also build many open booths in several
36 Teman Ahok’s social media consists of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
37 Silih Agung Wasesa, Political Branding & Public Relations: Saatnya Kampanye Sehat, Hemat, Dan Bermartabat, (Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2011), p. 13.
38 Mia Angeline, Symbolic Convergence in A Social Movement: A Case of “Pengumpulan Satu Juta Ktp”
by Teman Ahok, Humaniora 7, no. 35 (Spring 2016), p.540, DOI: 10.21512/humaniora.v7i4.3606, (accessed June 27, 2019).
39 Herianto Batubara, Melihat Fenomena Kekuatan Masyarakat Sipil Lewat Teman Ahok,” DetikNews, June 20, 2016, https://news.detik.com/berita/d-3237647/melihat-fenomena-kekuatan-masyarakat-sipil-lewat-teman-ahok, (accessed June 25, 2019).
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Table 1: Founder of Teman AhokName Sex/
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2.4.1. The figure of Basuki Tjahaya Purnama (Ahok)
Ahok is the 17th Governor of DKI Jakarta, replacing Joko Widodo who moved up to become 7th President of Republic of Indonesia. Ahok, was the first ethnic Chinese citizen to lead the Indonesian capital which has many competitors in the political world.
Ahok who came from East Belitung, Bangka Belitung could compete in the political arena and occupy the highest seat in the capital.
Ahok has been involved in politics for 12 years. For him, politics is a fight against those corrupted governments or individuals to bring social justice. Ahok proves that the principle of transparent and professional politics can be realized in Indonesia.40 While serving as Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahok argued that leaders must be free from corruption and dare to declare their assets and taxes, and prove their
40 Radis Bastian and Erine N Putri, Ahok: tegas, disiplin, tanpa gentar, demi rakyat. Banguntapan, (Jogjakarta: Palapa, 2013), p.98.
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transparency from all budgets to the public. According to Yogaswara41, in terms of Jakarta bureaucracy, it is easier because the Governor instantly votes for the mayor, so if there are cheating on administrators, the Governor can fire them directly.
Ahok is not like the other former governors, and instead he is like an open book for Jakarta’s residents. Ahok made the Jakarta City Hall always open by accepting people who want to meet directly with him every day. These people carried out any protests, and this became his trademark. Ahok also continued his habit of attending residents’ wedding receptions on weekends, which at the same time used to see directly the real conditions in their authority area. By his hard work, the Jakarta residents were very thankful. It is not surprising if he smoothly gets a million support from the citizens of Jakarta to support his independent political way.
Figure 2: Ahok
His unique character comes from his father, Indra Tjahaja Purnama, who is a famous and generous Chinese family in Belitung Island. His father educated him to not to be arrogant and able to get along with any people who have different ethnicities and
41 A Yogaswara, Aref Rahmat, and Rudy Rahman Hakim, Jokowi Ahok pemimpin yang biasa- biasa saja, (Yogyakarta: MedPress, 2013), p.210.
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religion with him. However, Ahok cannot escape from discrimination because he came from Chinese ethnic minorities.42 In Coppel book, Chinese Indonesian in Crisis, states that Chinese ethnic has always been a small minority in Indonesia. In Indonesia is an uncommon phenomenon about someone from minorities ethnic represent in the politics.43
It became as an achievement for Ahok as a part of the minority but can be a leader although he has a different ethnic and religion. In 1998, there was a riot related to ethnicity where mixed Chinese descent was the main target or main enemy of DKI Jakarta residents44. However, the election of Ahok, although only as deputy governor along with Joko Widodo who became the governor has its effect for the people of DKI Jakarta. Ahok is the first figure who is open and transparent about politicians’ routines and publishes government work meetings to the public by uploading the recording on YouTube. So, it describes the political communication model built by Ahok’s with his background as a minority.