President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s recent private dinner with presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto has added to concerns that the President is putting his thumb on the scales to help his erstwhile rival rise to the nation’s highest office.

Photos of Jokowi dining at a restaurant with the Gerindra Party chairman made headlines over the weekend.

The hour-long dinner took place on Friday at a restaurant in Central Jakarta, according to presidential special staff coordinator Ari Dwipayana.

“I don't know what [the President] talked about [with Prabowo] at the dinner. He said the food at the restaurant was delicious,” Ari told reporters.

It was the first time Jokowi and Prabowo had appeared in public together after the retired general named Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, his running mate.

In late October 2023, in an apparent effort to counter accusations that he was backing a particular candidate, Jokowi invited all three presidential candidates to lunch at the State Palace, where Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan said they hoped the President would maintain his neutrality as the electoral campaigns unfolded.

Read also: Jokowi claims neutrality at 2024 race luncheon

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