The 2024 elections have been completed. The quick count results show that candidate pair 02, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, won votes in the range of 57-59%. Followed by candidate pair 01 Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar with a figure range of 23-25% and candidate pair 03 Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD with a figure range of 16-17%.
The numbers from this quick calculation then gave rise to the term ‘Silent Majority’ or voters who have been silent and provided evidence when voting. Lecturer in Communication Science at FISIP Brawijaya University, Dr Verdy Firmantoro S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom, revealed that the silent majority are people who choose to be passive in public debates but can gain a large voice.
“This is what is called the silent majority, where grass-root people, of course they don’t have much influence in public debate, but they become active voters, and actually come to the polling stations to voice their aspirations. That seems to be the cause of gaining numbers for candidate pair 02,” he explained, Thursday (15/2/2024).
This doctor who graduated from the University of Indonesia assesses that the silent majority comes from grassroots groups who receive social assistance, people who feel the touch of prosperity at the lower levels.
“Those circles of society are actually able to influence the public’s vote, that’s why 02’s vote is big,” continued Verdy.
He stated that the typology of Indonesian society is actually not ready if there is a fight for liberal democracy.
“This means that there is open fighting, attacking each other, differing views, giving each other sentiments that the Indonesian people don’t really care about, in fact the people who are given negative sentiments actually get positive reflections,” explained Verdy.
This man from Lumajang expressed negative sentiments towards the 02 camp which resulted in a vote among the people, since the people felt pity.
“Of course, in the context of him (Prabowo Subianto) having run for office 4 times and this is what makes the lower class or grass-root community want to give him a chance for the “struggle” he is carrying out,” added Verdy.
On the other hand, critical voices that investigate cases at the Constitutional Court and others, said Verdy, are relatively considered elite issues that are familiar with critical voices and rational considerations and are not touched at the lower level of society or grass-roots.
The Silent Majority phenomenon is also getting bigger since contemporary politics carried out by candidate pair 02 with celebrities and influencers are able to encourage young people to enjoy politics as if it were part of something entertaining.
“That’s what ultimately makes them interested in gemoy figures, more entertaining methods, that’s what in this contest is enough to prove that it has an electoral impact on the movement of young people to vote,” concluded Verdy Firmantoro. (FISIP PR/ OKY/ UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
