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Jokowi’s image remains strong: Survey
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Showing solidarity: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by Klungkung Regent I Nyoman Suwirta, talks to residents taking refuge at the Swecapura Sports Hall in Klungkung, Bali, on Sept. 26. (The Jakarta Post/Zul Trio Anggono)
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recent survey has found that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo continues to be the most likeable candidate in the 2019 presidential election as his favorability rating has continued to rise as he enters his third year of leadership on Oct. 22.
The survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) reveals that Jokowi remains in a stronger position compared to other candidates. Although Prabowo Subianto, Jokowi’s competitor in 2014, is still the toughest challenger, his favorability has tended to stagnate.
According to the survey conducted from Sept. 3 to Sept. 10 among 1,057 respondents, Jokowi’s approval rating stands strong at 68 percent despite increasing political, racial and religious tensions that have hampered his administration.
When the respondents were asked who they would vote for if the election was held today, 38.9 percent of them favored Jokowi. This approval rating increased by 7.8 percent in a similar survey held by SMRC in March 2016.
SMRC executive director Djayadi Hanan said Jokowi had a relatively high rating from the public, and this gave him a strong foundation to start the fourth year of his administration ahead of the 2019 election.
“Trust in Jokowi has stayed strong since he was elected, with an approval rating ranging from 65 to 68 percent. It’s pretty great for an incumbent,” he said Thursday.
“In this position, there is a big possibility that he will be reelected in 2019, especially because there is no competitive rival for him apart from Prabowo,” he said.
