The vast volunteer network of outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Saturday endorsed retired general Prabowo Subianto for president in February’s election. The endorsement from the “Projo” network, recognised as a proxy for the president, is the most prominent gesture yet that the incumbent will back his previous enemy in the intimately contested race.
Mr Budi Arie Setiadi, Projo chief and the president’s communications minister, announced the party’s help whilst a press conference at Mr Prabowo’s Jakarta home. “He is a robust man and is in tuned to the welfare of Indonesians,” Mr Budi revealed. Mr Widodo, or well recognised as Jokowi, has not yet formally endorsed any candidate.
Whilst he does not govern a party of his own, he has an informal following of millions of volunteers who are active on social media and who bring light to his policies and presidency, specifically ahead of elections. The Projo network supported to propel him to victory in opposition to Mr Prabowo in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections.