As an Indonesian in my early 20s, this marked the second time that I cast my vote in a presidential election. During my first election, I was still like a deer in the headlights, listening to what my parents said and believing in the “excellent” candidate they voted for. My second time voting should have been simpler, but despite being equipped with a political science degree, I find myself facing pressure and a feeling of uncertainty as I cast my ballot again. As it turns out, voting among three presidential candidates was harder than I thought.

Information about the candidates is just a click away for over 210 million Indonesians with internet access. This should have helped them choose their champions. The endless streams of social media content within our 8-hour screen time window should have made our choosing process easier. The political discourses we overheard in food stalls, toilet queues, and rest areas would have made our choice clearer. Or so we thought. 

My second time voting for the long-awaited leader, a prominent figure essential in guiding our nation toward Indonesia’s proposed Golden Age (Indonesia Emas), has been different. A portion of the weight of our nation’s future and dreams rests on the pierced papers I shovel into the ballot box. 

What kind of candidate would be wise enough to provide strong leadership, yet be a compassionate source for the country to solve the problems that young Indonesians face?  

Unsure of myself, I decided to walk down memory lane and assess what I have learned in my university years, as well as my current profession as a young researcher, as a basis to wrap my head around the presidential elections. Here are three things I’ve learned. 

First, it is overwhelming to dip our toes into the water and learn about Indonesia’s political currents. While ideal and theoretical forms of governance and democracy are taught in class, I learned that our surroundings use different lenses in navigating their attitude toward politics. It may be difficult because their decades-old hopes have worn down and melted into an attitude of political apathy. It may be impossible because they have no trust left in the national leadership. It may be challenging because the older generations deem the youth to be ‘too idealistic’ and inexperienced to have high hopes for this election.

The Political Socialization theory outlines this phenomenon by understanding that political attitudes, engagement, and behaviors are relatively influenced by external factors. While young citizens have not yet established their political inclinations and are open to influences in their early experiences, previous generations have determined their preferences and behavior as they progress through their lifespans. The experiences they have obtained from various political socialization processes, represented by the apathetic responses toward elections, may portray a subtext of distrust toward authority figures. The causes vary among individuals: representation gaps, systemic corruption culture, policy failure, and many personal reasons eroding their expectations of the elected leaders.

Second, “walking a tightrope” might be the best fitting figurative statement for beginning to contemplate making footprints on the land. With an estimated 56 percent of the general voters being youths and millennials, it is upon our shoulders that the nation’s future is laid. Sharing similar doubts and uncertainties, most of my peers chose to be swing voters until the last minute of the election.  We waited, not because we do not know what we are looking for in a leader, nor because we cannot see the values most aligned with ours. But we waited because we were not really sure we could choose the right leader for us amidst subtle campaign noises and chaos all around us. 

Learning from the Transformational Leadership approach, a leader is vital in encouraging individuals to become leaders through the nurturing of motivation, morale, and performance. By having a people-oriented leader, citizens would have a secure environment to be inspired, challenged, and develop their own capacities for contributing to the country the next day. 

As crucially as it sounds, it is upon our shoulders, as the next generation of leaders, to be aware of the political ecosystems we have to maintain and not succumb to the pit of apathy like some previous generations. Youths must not be easily polarized or pulled in different directions. Youths must stand on solid principles, bravely defending their beliefs, and be strong enough not to compromise their principles. The nation’s burdens are ours to carry as the next generation of leaders. 

Lastly, youthful spirits have always been the cornerstone of this country. "Give me 1,000 elders, I shall rip the Semeru mountain out of its roots. Give me 10 youths, I shall undoubtedly shake the world'".

This is the famous quote by our first president, Sukarno, which has echoed for more than seven decades since Indonesia stood on our independent lands. After hearing the quote countless times and now, facing today’s election in a more hopeful light, I have finally understood. 

President Sukarno believed in the power of harnessing 10 youths, not one, not two; he took 10 spirited youths, a collective mass that is quite small in numbers, but big enough to shake the grounds. All it takes is 10 passionate youths to not cease to learn, care, and fight for causes that are close to their hearts, that being hopes for bridging quality education for the children, bringing a better healthcare system that is inclusive and accessible to all villages, and guaranteeing the prosperity of our people at home. 

We stand our ground by keeping our youthful spirits, and we can push this country toward our Indonesia Emas 2045 dream. A country that is independent, united, sovereign, just, and prosperous.

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Angela Filipus is a researcher at Policy+, a think tank that focuses on human rights, good governance, and sustainability issues. The opinions expressed in this article are her own.