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Prabowo praises Jokowi's leadership during pandemic
The presumptive Gerindra nominee has publicly praised his erstwhile election rival on several occasions while the President has indicated that he is leaning toward backing his Defense Minister, despite the PDI-P nominating Ganjar Pranowo as its 2024 candidate.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (right) speaks with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left) as Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo looks on while inspecting a rice harvest on March 9, 2023 in Lajer village, Kebumen regency, Central Java. (Presidential Secretariat's Press Bureau/Laily Rachev)
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efense Minister and Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto has credited President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo with successfully navigating the country through the turbulent period during COVID-19 pandemic to emerge relatively unscathed.
Prabowo said that thanks to some of the policies taken by the Jokowi administration, Indonesia could recover quickly following the coronavirus pandemic.
"Indonesia was once underestimated and looked down upon by many nations. Many countries forecast that Indonesia would collapse and would be unable to overcome the health [emergency], and many [would die], alhamdulillah [praise be to God], the United Nations has recognized us as a country that has recovered quickly from the pandemic,” Prabowo said at a Gerindra event on Sunday in Depok, West Java, as quoted by Antara.
“[This is] Because of good leadership everywhere, we must be brave, willing to acknowledge [the leadership of] President Joko Widodo," he added.
He also noted that the disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the country's economic performance: "Three years of experiencing the pandemic crisis, degraded life and the world economy."
Prabowo, who is the presumptive Gerindra nominee for the 2024 elections, has praised the leadership of President Jokowi on several occasions.
In an exclusive interview with prominent journalist Najwa Shihab, Prabowo said he had "great chemistry" with Jokowi, who had taught him how to be a better politician.
