Indonesian Protests Highlight Cats: Political Symbols Amidst Chaos

Melbourne, Sep 8 (The Conversation) During Indonesia's recent mass protests, unexpected victims emerged from the chaos as politicians' homes in Jakarta were looted—cats left behind or reportedly stolen as their owners fled to safety.

The ordeal of these cats has taken social media by storm. The politicians in question, Uya Kuya and Eko Patrio of the National Mandate Party (PAN)—both celebrities-turned-MPs—were criticized for allegedly "abandoning" their pets. They counter that narrative, asserting they didn't have the chance to take their pets with them amid the looting.

No matter where the truth lies, images of these frightened cats, rescued by concerned citizens, have deeply resonated in cat-loving Indonesia.

Protesters and netizens have quickly cast these incidents as symbolic of politicians’ neglect of society’s most vulnerable members.

Pets are Political Cats hold great popularity in Indonesia, which boasts the highest rate of cat ownership in the Asia-Pacific region.

As a majority Muslim country, Indonesia's appreciation for cats may partly be explained by the high status these animals hold in Islam.

Beyond cultural significance, the recent events provide insights into political image-making in Indonesia.

Using animals like cats to improve politicians' popularity isn't new and isn’t limited to Indonesia.

Globally, pets have long aided politicians like Winston Churchill's cat Nelson, Bill Clinton’s cat Socks, or Larry, Downing Street’s “chief mouser,” in their public relations efforts.

In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto’s rescue tabby, Bobby Kertanegara, is a prime example.

Bobby has nearly a million followers on Instagram. Images of Prabowo with Bobby helped soften the former army general's public image ahead of last year’s presidential election, altering his image from a strongman with a controversial human rights record to a gentle, animal-loving figure.

Now, Indonesia's "first cat" Bobby is transported in a luxury pet stroller, has his own security, and attends state functions. He even received a bespoke scarf from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a gift.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and former Jakarta governor and 2024 presidential candidate Anies Baswedan have also used their pets to enhance their public profiles.

The Recent Protests The protests in Jakarta were initially provoked by a proposed rise in MP allowances but were fueled by general discontent with the political class and scrutiny over politicians’ extravagant lifestyles amid widespread economic struggles faced by ordinary Indonesians.

As a result of these protests, several high-profile politicians' homes were looted.

Kuya and Patrio were reported to have left their cats behind, with some pets allegedly stolen by looters or rescued by local citizens.

While politicians have contested these claims, asking rhetorically—if they fail to care for their own pets, how can they care for citizens?

Political Image-Crafting Social media attention on these cats triggered reactions from their owners.

Both Kuya and Patrio denied abandoning the cats, arguing that chaos prevented them from retrieving the animals, which fled independently.

They have appealed for the safe return of their pets, gaining some support from netizens.

However, the allegations have damaged the politicians' reputations.

In the social media era, pets can be a double-edged sword.

Once tools to soften political images and garner support, these cats are now centerpieces of a narrative that paints politicians as insensitive and disconnected. They’ve become symbols in the perceived betrayal by elites of the populace.

These events demonstrate the fragile nature of political image-crafting today.

While social media once amplified the impact of political pets in winning public favor, it can equally serve as a platform for backlash.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)