The idea of stitching a big-tent alliance to back a pro-Jokowi government presidential candidate in 2024 has drawn in more support as parties from the non-parliamentary bloc scrambled to have a sit down with Prabowo, the only presidential frontrunner from the alliance and one of the contenders some believe to have been tacitly endorsed by the President.

United Indonesia Party (Perindo) chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo was the first to be hosted by the retired general at his private residence in Kertanegara, South Jakarta, on last Wednesday.

The one-and-a-half-hour closed-door meeting ended with the media tycoon welcoming Prabowo’s offer to join the potential pro-Jokowi government front alliance and agreeing to “continue discussion” in hopes that “cooperation will run smoothly for the national interests”.

Crescent Star Party (PBB) chief Yusril Ihza Mahendra made his bid the following day, saying it was open to the idea of joining the grand alliance as he described it as an “ideal” and a manifestation of a “democracy that is unique to Indonesia, which is based on brotherhood, teamwork and mutual cooperation”.

The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), which has thrown its support behind popular Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), had also announced its intention to join the pro-Jokowi government alliance last week, saying it wanted to partner “with those who have the same vision as Jokowi”.

The party, however, insisted it still supported Ganjar and declined to speculate whether the alliance would nominate Prabowo as its presidential candidate.