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‘People are relaxed’, Jokowi says of pre-election political climate
In his opening speech at a seminar on Indonesia’s economic outlook for 2024, Jokowi said business players need not worry because, at the grassroots level, voters were relaxed about next year's election.
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After you: Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Perry Warjiyo (second left) gestures on Nov. 29, 2023, as he walks alongside President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center) and Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto (second right) while attending the BI Annual Meeting. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A.)
Despite raucous political debate and controversies on social media, the situation on the ground remains calm and conducive as the 2024 general election approaches, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Friday.
In his opening speech at a seminar on Indonesia’s economic outlook for 2024, Jokowi said business players need not worry because, at the grassroots level, voters were relaxed about next year's election.
"I can emphasize that there's nothing to worry about. If you scroll social media, watch television or debates among politicians, the temperature appears to be rising. But if you go down to the village, to the regions, people are relaxed," said Jokowi, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term as president. His second term will end in October 2024.
He said the political climate now was better than during his two campaigns for president in 2014 and 2019.
"It's so much different. This means that people are more mature politically. What is hot can be cooled off immediately, what's divided can be united easily," he said.
President Jokowi appears to be backing candidate Prabowo Subianto for the presidency, a former special forces commander who is making his third run at the nation’s top office after having twice lost to Jokowi, in 2014 and 2019.
Recent opinion polls have shown Prabowo surging ahead of rivals.
The 72-year-old candidate comes from an elite family and commands a huge following, despite allegations of human rights violations over the kidnapping of democracy activists during the political turmoil of the late 1990s and alleged abuses in Timor-Leste. He has denied any wrongdoing.
