Melynda Dwi Puspita, Jakarta – A number of netizens on social media platforms are asking Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to keep his promise of creating 19 million jobs. This surge in demand came after news of widespread layoffs at several companies, including textile firm PT Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk (Sritex).
Tempo found many posts on X (formerly Twitter) about the "19 million job opportunities" promise using tweets, texts, pictures, and videos. Using Tweet Binder's analytics, about 200 posts with that keyword were counted as of Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM Jakarta time.
"Why do politicians find it so easy to make promises? If promises are just promises and everything is just a dream. The promise of 19 million job opportunities has not been fulfilled, but the wave of mass layoffs has already begun," said the account @dogel**********, on Friday, February 28, 2025.
"Even during the fasting month and Eid, as of March 1, 2025, Sritex officially closed permanently, thousands of workers were laid off. It's certain that the 19 million job opportunities are just empty promises," wrote @mas********.
"Where are those 19 million job opportunities?" said @clove***, on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
"Where is your promise of 19 million job opportunities?" said @jamal**********.
"Who was it that said they would create 19 million job opportunities?" said @kid***, on Wednesday, March 6, 2025.
"The one who was supposed to create 19 million job opportunities, but in reality there are many layoffs," said @Ab*****.
Gibran previously pledged to create 19 million jobs, including 5 million green jobs. He made this promise during his presentation of his vision and mission at the 2024 Presidential Election's vice-presidential candidate debate, organized by the General Election Commission (KPU).
According to Gibran, this promise would be achieved by monitoring downstreaming agendas, equal development, green energy transition, and creative economy, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"God willing, 19 million job opportunities will be available for the younger generation and women, 5 million of which are green jobs," said Gibran at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Senayan, Jakarta, on Sunday, January 21, 2024.
The VP explained that green jobs are job opportunities in environmental sustainability, which he believes are the current and future trend.
Regarding downstreaming as one of the key agendas for the creation of these jobs, Gibran said it must be continued and expanded. He opined that it should no longer be limited to downstreaming in the mining sector but also include agriculture, maritime, and digital sectors.
"Basically, we must no longer send raw materials," said the former mayor of Solo.
– Han Revanda contributed to the writing of this article.