Indonesia set for last major rallies as election campaign draws to close

As Indonesia’s presidential election draws near, the contenders are holding their final rallies on Saturday to energize their supporters and persuade undecided voters. The election will take place on Feb. 14, with three candidates in the running to replace President Joko Widodo, who has served for a decade and cannot seek re-election.

Two former governors, Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan, as well as ex-special forces commander Prabowo Subianto, are competing for leadership of the mineral-rich G20 economy with a population of 270 million. The stakes are high not only for the presidency but also for over 20,000 legislative and administrative positions being contested by 259,000 candidates.

Ganjar Pranowo, the candidate from the biggest party, is focusing on shoring up his support in Central Java, where he served as governor and lawmaker for two decades. Anies, an independent candidate who was governor of the capital, Jakarta, from 2017-2024, is holding his rally at the city’s largest stadium. Defense Minister Prabowo is aiming to convert his large social media following among young Indonesians into votes, with over half of the electorate being under 40.

Prabowo received a boost when the latest opinion poll projected him to have 51.8% support among the 1,200 people surveyed, surpassing Anies and Ganjar. However, a run-off will be held in June if no candidate gets more than 50% of votes. Therefore, undecided voters could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.

A good turnout is essential for Prabowo if he aims to win outright next week, according to Arya Fernandes of Indonesia’s Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Fernandes also suggested that Prabowo’s surge in popularity may be attributed to the implied support of President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, who is seen as backing Prabowo as the continuity candidate.

Prabowo has undergone a rebranding to soften his image from that of a hot-tempered nationalist and lieutenant of the late strongman ruler Suharto. He is now cultivating a gentler image as a cat-loving grandfather with a clumsy dancing style. The election outcome will not only shape the future leadership of Indonesia but also its position as a potential destination for multinational firms in downstream industries.

The campaign will enter a cooling off period on Sunday before the election takes place, with the results expected to be announced shortly after polling closes. The election outcome will not only shape the future leadership of Indonesia but also its position as a potential destination for multinational firms in downstream industries.

Written by Martin Petty; Edited by Kanupriya Kapoor