The Campaign Trails
We’re officially two months and ten days from the election day. Both camps have stepped up their campaigns. The incumbent, Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, for example, earned support from alumni of Pangudi Luhur, which is also the school of Sandiaga Uno. Prabowo Subianto, the challenger, meanwhile, expects a mass gathering of retired military officers in Yogyakarta later this month.
The War of Volunteer Groups
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visited the private residence of former Golkar Party Chairman Akbar Tandjung yesterday (Feb. 5) evening to attend the 72nd anniversary of the Islamic Students Association (HMI). The HMI did not make any official endorsement, but in the said event, Akbar stated his support of Jokowi and he wished the President a victory in the 2019 presidential election. On the same day, four groups of volunteers also declared their endorsement of Jokowi.
Prabowo-Sandi’s Claim on Electability
Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Sandiaga Uno (Prabowo-Sandi) continues their claim game. Sandi recently claimed that the Pair’s electability had reached above 40%. Sandi also claimed that the margin separating him and Prabowo from the incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his running mate KH Ma’ruf Amin (Jokowi-Amin) had narrowed to a single digit or less than 10%. Is that so?
The Jokowi Show
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had a busy weekend. He visited Central Java and East Java before returning to the capital city Jakarta to attend an event organized by the Jenggala Center, a group of volunteer groups founded by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
Prabowo-Sandi & Their Cabinet Rhetorics
Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Sandiaga Uno (Prabowo-Sandi) named five people who they’d consider for the position of attorney general if they’re elected. Sandi said that he and Prabowo wanted to show their commitment to appointing independent figures. The questions is whether the candidates named are truly free from political ties.
The Campaign Trails
We’re now 72 days away from the election day. Both teams have stepped up their campaigns. We have to admit, however, that Jokowi-Ma’ruf’s campaign gained more tractions in the past few days. The incumbent got lot more support from cadres and leaders of Democratic Party (led by sixth president SBY), which officially endorses Prabowo-Sandiaga.
The TKN’s Anti Slander Movement
The National Campaign Team (TKN) of presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and K.H. Ma’ruf Amin (Jokowi-Amin) held a press conference yesterday afternoon to launch what the TKN dubbed an “Anti Slander Movement” (Gerakan Menangkal Fitnah). The Head of the TKN Erick Thohir was there to make the announcement. He was accompanied by Tina Talisa (Nasdem), Dini Purwono (PSI), Usman Kansong (TKN’s Director of Political Communications), and Christine Hakim (actor).
Jokowi & the NU
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s romance with the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, continues. Yesterday (Jan. 31), the President attended the 93rd anniversary of the NU held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). It’s the third NU event that Jokowi has attended in past three weeks.
Thohir & PSSI Leadership
Businessman Erick Thohir are getting some show of support following the news that he could become the next chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). Erick, who is now the head of the campaign team of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and K.H. Ma’ruf Amin (Jokowi-Amin), has publicly expressed his willingness to take the job.
The Latest Electability Figures
Pollsters have released the result of their respective electability survey this month. Two of them look into the electability of presidential contenders in every region and in every political party.