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We Asked Indonesians How Trump's U.S. Election Victory Will Affect Them

Is it just internet outrage, or is there something more going on here?
Photo: Carlo Allegri/ Reuters

You've definitely seen it by now. Your feed is full of friends lamenting Donald Trump's unprecedented victory in the U.S. presidential election. Some of you probably posted something yourself. Maybe it was funny. Or cynical. Or angry. Or upset.

Are we Indonesians just involved in a case of modern, internet-fueled empathy for our American friends? Are we as perplexed by his win as the 52 percent of Americans who voted for anyone but Trump?

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Or do we fear that something terrible will befall our nation in a world where the U.S.A. has become—to borrow a phrase repeatedly popping up online—the United States of Anxiety?

We asked a few Indonesians who—post-announcement—posted about how angry/ depressed/ disappointed/ joyful they were with the election results. We wanted to know, "what do you think will happen to you, and to Indonesia, with Trump as the American president?"

Grace Susetyo

As a global superpower, the U.S. is pretty much a benchmark of progress, not only economically and technologically, but also in terms of the people's moral conscience. At a time when Indonesia is suffering from much of the socio-political illnesses Trump represents, I fear that Indonesia might lower its standards in fighting bigotry, racism, sexism, religious intolerance, military impunity, and of the law turning a blind eye to the rich's transgressions at the expense of the poor. I feel that we took one step back from making Indonesia human again, just because Uncle Sam has pawned humanity in the name of making America "great" again.

Muhammad "Gonzo" Fahri

Well, I hope he isn't gonna flare his dick around at Muslim countries by making threats or enacting embargoes just because he hates Islam. And I certainly hope he's not gonna mess with nukes. I worry about that so much. The guy's unpredictable. He could do anything with that much power, so who knows? I hope our leaders wouldn't just be slaves to whatever he says.

Eka Annash

I expect 9/11: Part II. Only bigger…

Mira Sumanti

Well I work for an American company, and I thought about moving to the U.S. for my next assignment. But now that he is president, I think I've changed my mind. With Brexit in Europe and Trump in U.S., Asia is totally the place to be now.

Dwiputri Pertiwi

What concerns me more is not Trump's victory per se, but the very obvious right wing uprising taking place in many parts of the world—not excluding our own country. The outcome of the U.S. election is just a small part of a much larger problem. Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world, and that fact alone might incite conflicts with the U.S., especially if we consider the ever increasing wave of discrimination within Indonesia. Another thing that comes to mind is the likely decline in the number of Indonesian students going to American universities. Not only because they're not interested, but because they might also face difficulties in the application process or severe discrimination if they are accepted. Since the U.S. is still home to some of the best schools, collaborating with universities there might become more difficult.

Iin

It will be hard for us, especially Muslims, to get visas when we want to travel to the U.S.

Wahyu Acum Nugroho

There will be lots of good music. Sure, there will be demonstrations and riots in the U.S., but there will also be lots of cool music, films, and concerts fueled by criticism and protest. The agenda will be: stick it to man. This will influence music in Indonesia. Also, maybe the shows at @america will stop happening, because Trump doesn't like music as much as Barack Obama did.

Ishak Tanoto

I think it's like the Joker of DC Universe has become president. Things are going to get unpredictable, and not in a good way. I think the Trump victory can mean a lot of things for Indonesia, but we are not really sure of his foreign economic policies yet, so we'll have to wait and see.

My family lives in the U.S. and are U.S. citizens and since they are devout Christians, they actually voted for Trump. Why? Because like Trump, they are against gay marriage and legalized weed, so they voted for someone who positions himself as a conservative who was good for the future of America. They are pretty happy… for now.

Yopie Rifqy Fauzi

The U.S. dollar is predicted to suffer a free fall, so if that happens I'm going to do a lot of shopping.

These interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity.