Prabowo: 'Jokowi Effect' Helped Me Won Presidential Election

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President-elect Prabowo Subianto spoke about a combination of factors that contributed to his victory in the 2024 presidential election. He admitted that one of these factors was the fact that he essentially became part of the incumbent team, with President Joko Widodo's favorable rating in public polls, or the "Jokowi effect," helping to secure his victory.

Prabowo acknowledged the Jokowi factor in an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Sunday, May 12. Al Jazeera highlighted the landslide victory of Prabowo and his running mate, Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's eldest son, with nearly 60 percent of the vote and winning in 30 out of 32 provinces.

Jokowi, Prabowo said, has 82-83 percent favorable rating in public opinion polls. “Of course, the people felt his commitment to bring betterment to the people's conditions, especially the poor. So yes, I think that that the Jokowi effect really helped me also," he said.

Prabowo nevertheless pointed out that the Jokowi effect was not the only factor contributing to his victory. The defense minister said that experience, consistency and the position of the incumbent also played a role.

Jokowi's alleged interference in the 2024 presidential election has been criticized by political opponents and civil society groups. From the Constitutional Court decision that paved the way for his son Gibran to become the vice-presidential candidate to the politicization of social aid.

On April 22, the Constitutional Court ruled that allegations of Jokowi's interference in the 2024 presidential election had not been proven. This was one of the considerations of the Constitutional Court in ruling on the dispute over the results of the 2024 presidential election.

On many occasions, Prabowo said he had received support from President Jokowi. One such occasion was the opening of the National Coordinating Meeting of the National Mandate Party on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

"I feel that there are three presidents who support me. Especially, of course—and there's no need to be ashamed of it—is President Jokowi, right, understandably so. I never hide it either," Prabowo said. In addition, the Gerindra Party chairman also said that he received support from former presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the late Sukarno.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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