President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s largest supporter group has come out in favor of retired general Prabowo Subianto for the presidency in 2024, even though Jokowi has yet to endorse his defense minister and former electoral rival for the nation’s top office.

ProJo, a 7-million-strong volunteer group that has backed Jokowi since his first presidential bid in 2014, declared its support for Prabowo on Saturday, in the strongest signal yet that the President is backing his erstwhile rival, whom he defeated in two bitterly fought elections.

Speaking at a press conference at Prabowo’s private residence in South Jakarta, ProJo chief Budi Arie Setiadi said Prabowo fit the description of the ideal successor that Jokowi had described: a courageous leader who was willing to make crucial decisions when they were most needed.

"We conclude that what the president meant was Prabowo Subianto,” ProJo leader Budi Arie Setiadi said at the press conference. "He is a brave man and is committed to the welfare of Indonesians.”

The endorsement came amid speculation that the President was leaning toward supporting Prabowo as his successor, even though his own political party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), had nominated former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo for the presidency.

ProJo suggested that its endorsement of Prabowo had received the blessing of the President himself, claiming that it would always align itself with Jokowi, despite his refusal to publicly reveal his preferred candidate.

“What is already obvious does not need more explanation,” Budi said when asked if Jokowi had instructed the group to back Prabowo’s candidacy.

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