JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – As the world’s third-largest democracy prepares to elect a new president Wednesday, Indonesians are divided between two very different choices: a former furniture maker and a wealthy ex-army general with close links to former dictator Suharto.
Just a few months ago, the election was considered firmly in favor of Joko Widodo, who rose from humble beginnings to become the governor of Jakarta with a squeaky clean political record.
But the race is now too close to call after a late surge by Prabowo Subianto, who has wooed legions of supporters with his calls for nationalism despite allegations of widespread human rights abuses during his military career and his connection with Suharto – his former father-in-law.
When the polls open to nearly 190 million eligible voters on Wednesday, analysts say those who are undecided will determine the winner.
The two candidates are vastly different in their policies and styles. Widodo, known by his nickname Jokowi, is a soft-spoken man who likes to wear sneakers, listen to heavy metal music, wear casual plaid shirts and make impromptu visits to the slums. Seen as a man of the people who wants to advance democratic reform even though he lacks experience in national politics, he represents a break from the past as the first candidate in direct elections with no connection to Suharto-era politics.