Indonesian VP-Elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka Forcibly Hugged by Resident During Visit

Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the vice president-elect of Indonesia, was suddenly and forcibly hugged by a resident during a visit to the Muara Baru Flats (Rusun) in Penjaringan, Jakarta on Wednesday. The incident occurred shortly after the General Election Commission (KPU) had announced Prabowo Subianto and Gibran as the elected President and Vice President for the 2024 presidential election.

Gibran, who is the eldest son of current President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of residents, including both adults and children, at the flats. Amidst the gathering, a man wearing a white cap and a jacket with the number '02', indicating support for the Prabowo-Gibran ticket, suddenly approached Gibran. The man pulled Gibran's neck and tried to hug him tightly.

Security personnel from the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) quickly intervened and pulled the man away from Gibran. The man claimed that he just wanted to see the vice president-elect up close. After being secured by the personnel, the man removed the '02' jacket he was wearing and left the scene.

Despite the unexpected incident, Gibran remained calm and continued to greet and interact with the residents who had gathered to welcome him. He was seen distributing milk to the children at the flats. The other residents expressed their displeasure at the man's actions.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the challenges and potential security risks faced by high-profile political figures, even in seemingly friendly and supportive environments. It emphasizes the importance of robust security measures to ensure the safety of elected officials during public engagements.

In a video capturing the incident, Gibran can be seen remaining composed as his security detail swiftly handles the situation. "The man stated that he just wanted to see Gibran up close," a witness reported. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of public interactions for political leaders and the critical role played by their security teams in maintaining order and protecting their well-being.

Key Takeaways

• Gibran Rakabuming Raka, VP-elect of Indonesia, forcibly hugged by resident.
• Incident occurred after Prabowo-Gibran ticket announced as election winners.
• Security personnel quickly intervened and removed the man from Gibran.
• Gibran remained calm and continued to interact with the residents.
• Incident highlights security challenges for high-profile political figures.