Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto spent time with several orphans at his residence in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, during New Year`s eve, Monday evening.

The retired general and the children prayed for the best in 2019 and expressed gratitude for what had taken place during 2018, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, spokesman of the presidential campaign team of Prabowo Subianto, noted in a press release here on Tuesday.

Prabowo prayed for goodness and the blessing of Allah in 2019, Simanjuntak noted.

After spending time with the orphans and children with special needs, Prabowo joined a Muhasabah, or introspection, gathering at At Taqwa Mosque, located just 500 meters from his residence.

He took part in the prayers along with ulemas and worshipers in the mosque and gave a brief address wishing the best for the Indonesian people in 2019.

Indonesia will organize presidential elections on April 17, 2019, considered by many as a repeat of the bitter 2014 presidential race, wherein incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Prabowo Subianto 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 Subianto has picked Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, a young and successful entrepreneur and former deputy governor of Jakarta, as his running mate.

The Jokowi-Amin pair is backed by a coalition called the Working Indonesian Coalition involving nine political parties, including the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle and Golkar, which have set up a national campaign team for Jokowi.

The Subianto-Uno pair is supported by only four political parties, notably Gerindra, founded by Subianto; the National Mandate Party; the Justice Prosperous Party; and the Democratic Party established by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Reporting by Susylo Asmalyah, fardah

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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