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Indonesian presidential election
Prabowo sports new image, but former rival Jokowi holds key to his success
The Defence Minister went from tough guy to ‘cute’ in a remarkable rebranding and is neck and neck with a PDI-P candidate in the polls. The choice of the vice-presidential running mate is likely to tilt the balance.
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Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto (left) lost to Mr Joko Widodo in the 2014 presidential race.
PHOTOS: PRABOWO/INSTAGRAM,GAVIN FOO
Johannes Nugroho
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As October’s official registration for Indonesia’s presidential candidates draws near,
Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan is lagging behind in third spot, according to the latest poll published by Kompas on Aug 21. The poll showed Mr Ganjar ahead at 24.9 per cent, Mr Prabowo at 24.6 per cent and Mr Anies at 12.7 per cent. Between now and the election in February 2024, lots can happen but what has stood out is the remarkable transformation of Mr Prabowo, whom many considered too old and too encumbered with historical baggage following his second election defeat in 2019.
