Dismay over V-P pick may see Jokowi backers sit out the vote

Conservative cleric Ma'ruf Amin's poor record on pluralism raises concern

Mr Joko's running mate, Dr Ma'ruf Amin, backed the blasphemy case against former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.
Mr Joko's running mate, Dr Ma'ruf Amin, backed the blasphemy case against former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
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They had looked forward to re-electing President Joko Widodo to a second term in office.

But now, a number of his supporters are debating whether to sit out the election to protest against his vice-presidential pick - conservative cleric Ma'ruf Amin.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 20, 2018, with the headline Dismay over V-P pick may see Jokowi backers sit out the vote. Subscribe