"During the last elections, the Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla pair had won 40 percent votes in West Java Province. This year, 2019, after observing the palpable enthusiasm today, I believe, Insya Allah (God Willing), the figure will cross 60 percent," Jokowi remarked in his speech at an open campaign rally at the Sabilulungan cultural building, Soreang, Bandung District, West Java Province, on Tuesday that recorded a significant worker participation.
The head of state noted that with just eight days to the election day, every political party choosing to join his government's coalition and workers should assist in tackling hoaxes and slanders targeting him.
At the event, the president believes that hoax and slander can be nipped in the bud if all workers cast their votes for him.
The president drew attention to various incidents of hoaxes including that of him banning azan, or the call for Islamic prayers, and religious education as well as legalizing same-sex marriages if he were to be re-elected to a second term in office.
Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin Campaign Team (TKN) Chairman Erick Thohir, TKN adviser Pramono Anung, and TKN Deputy Chairman Abdul Kadir Karding attended the campaign event.
In the meantime, in his address to several thousand loyalists at a recent campaign rally in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Jokowi expressed optimism of being able to bag 80 percent votes in the province.
“During the 2014 presidential election, the Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla pair had won 66 percent votes in East Nusa Tenggara. In this 2019 election, Insya Allah (God Willing), it will be at least 80 percent votes for me,” Jokowi had remarked in Kupang on Monday.
Jokowi's soaring hopes of securing 80 percent votes are based on a survey and his team's calculation.
At a campaign event in Tegal, Central Java, on April 4, 2019, Jokowi expressed hope of securing 75 percent of votes in Tegal, more than the 63 percent votes he had won during the 2014 Presidential Elections.
The 2019 presidential election on Apr 17 will be a clash of the two titans Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin and challenger Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno.
Translator: Joko Susilo, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
