Jokowi’s strongman rival Prabowo throws hat into Indonesia presidential race

Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who was beaten by President Jokowi in the last two elections, will run for the top job in 2024

Prabowo tops popularity surveys and his candidacy is likely to draw strong support from hardline Islamic groups and conservative parties

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Indonesia’s Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto attends a party meeting in Bogor on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:42pm, 13 Aug 2022

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto will run for the presidency in 2024, hoping the third time’s a charm as he tops popularity surveys on the back of his strongman image and support from the majority Muslim population.

Prabowo, who leads Indonesia’s third-largest party Gerindra, announced his intention in a briefing after a party meeting on Friday.

The former special forces commander announced his candidacy more than 18 months ahead of the elections to capitalise on popular support while he remains in President Joko Widodo’s government. The leader, popularly known as Jokowi and who beat Prabowo in the last two election contests, isn’t able to run again due to the two-term limits.

“I accept your call to be a candidate for the 2024 presidential election,” said Prabowo, who is among the top three leading candidates in a number of opinion polls.

According to a survey published in June by top newspaper Kompas, Prabowo is leading with 25.3 per cent. Ganjar Pranowo, the current governor of Central Java, is close behind with 22 per cent, while incumbent governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan is ranked third with 12.6 per cent.