REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Incumbent presidential candidate Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a meeting with leaders of political parties joining the Work Indonesian Coalition, or KIK, to evaluate the implementation of the campaign process. The meeting between Jokowi and the political parties' leaders was held in a serious but relaxed ambience, Grace Natalie, chairperson of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), noted here, Wednesday.

The meeting was held at a restaurant in Menteng, here, Tuesday evening, Grace remarked. "Viewing the presentation of Mr Jokowi and inputs from the political parties' leaders, I am getting more confident that Mr Jokowi will be better (than his rival) in the first debate later," she emphasized.

She added that Jokowi is more experienced and proven to be a good public servant when he served as the Solo mayor, Jakarta governor, and currently the president. She forecast that Prabowo Subianto, who challenges Jokowi in the upcoming presidential election, would present a pessimistic and fearful rhetoric, and he would portray himself as a hero that could salvage the nation.

Indonesia will organize presidential elections on April 17, 2019, considered by many as a repeat of the bitter 2014 presidential race, wherein incumbent Jokowi and Prabowo are again set to go head-to-head.

Seeking a second term, Jokowi, a furniture businessman, has picked Ma'ruf Amin, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, as his partner, while retired general Prabowo has chosen Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, a young and successful entrepreneur and former deputy governor of Jakarta, as his running mate.

The Jokowi-Ma'ruf pair is backed by a coalition called the Working Indonesian Coalition involving nine political parties that have set up a national campaign team for Jokowi. The Prabowo-Sandiaga pair is supported by only four political parties, notably Gerindra, which is founded by Prabowo; National Mandate Party; Justice Prosperous Party; and Democratic Party established by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Presidential candidate debates are scheduled for January 17, February 17, March 17, March 30, and April 13, 2019.

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