Depok, West Java (ANTARA) - Incumbent presidential candidate Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed his wish to win in the West Java Province, although his set target was quite moderate—55 percent of votes from Depok Municipality.

"For sure, we want to win in West Java," Jokowi said after campaigning in Depok, West Java, on Thursday. Speaking about his reason for campaigning in Depok, he said, "Yes, based on the data of illegible voters, there are many undecided voters here. So, we want to embrace them."

He conducted a campaign event at Bumi Wiyata Hotel in Depok, which was attended by members of his campaign team, such as Moeldoko, Puan Maharani, Pramono Anung, Erick Thohir, M. Luthfi, and Abdul Kadir Karding.

Speaking about the hoaxes and slander against him, he regretted that some nine million people still believed the hoaxes.

Jokowi cited the example of him being a communist as a hoax.

"I need to tell you that my grandfathers are Muslims, my parents are Muslims, and members of my big family are Muslims. A slander (accusing me of being) communist is baseless," Jokowi said.

Meanwhile, Jokowi is riding high on hopes of securing a minimum of 60 percent votes in West Java Province in the upcoming presidential elections.

"During the last elections, the Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla pair had won 40 percent votes in West Java Province. In 2019, after observing the palpable enthusiasm today, I believe, Insha Allah (God Willing), the figure will cross 60 percent," Jokowi remarked during his speech at an open campaign rally at the Sabilulungan cultural building, Soreang, Bandung District, West Java Province, on Tuesday (April 9, 2019) that recorded a significant participation of workers.

The head of state noted that with just eight days to the election, every political party choosing to join his government's coalition and workers should help in tackling hoaxes and slander targeting him.

The president believed that hoaxes and slander could be nipped in the bud if all workers cast their votes for him.

Indonesia will organize legislative and presidential elections simultaneously on April 17, 2019.



Translator: Hanni Sofia, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019