'It’s going to be close.' As Indonesia heads to the polls, identity politics loom large.
By Stanley Widianto and Shibani Mahtani Shibani Mahtani Reporter covering Southeast Asia Email Bio Follow April 15 at 1:15 PM JAKARTA — On a scorching day in Indonesia’s capital last week, thousands of people gathered in a cavernous stadium for a campaign rally that more closely resembled a rock concert.
Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, will vote Wednesday in presidential and legislative elections, casting ballots at 800,000 polling stations set up across an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands. And even if he pulls through, Widodo will have to contend with a powerful force in Indonesian politics that has grown stronger: Islamic conservatism.
Indonesia held its first direct presidential election in 2004, six years after the bloody toppling of a decades-long authoritarian regime. The winner, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, spent a decade at the helm. The ghost of cronyism and corruption remained, however, and Widodo was regarded as a breath of fresh air in Indonesian politics when he took office five years ago.
Widodo has picked former cleric Maruf Amin as his running mate in Wednesday’s vote. Amin is a polarizing figure who has made disparaging comments about minority groups, such as calling Indonesia’s LGBT community “haram,” or forbidden by Islamic law, and urging a ban on activities of the Ahmadiyya movement, which conservative Muslim leaders believe deviates from the norms of Islam.
The choice of Maruf nevertheless has disillusioned some of Widodo’s original base. Widely disappointed by his human rights record, some of these voters are choosing to abstain — an act known in Indonesia as “golput” for the white part of the ballot — to signal their dissatisfaction.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israelis head to the polls in close-fought election seen as a referendum on NetanyahuIsraeli voters were deciding Tuesday whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in office after a decade in power as they cast ballots in a national election that has become a referendum of sorts on their longtime leader.
Read more »
On Pompeo's Latin America visit, Venezuela crisis and China trade loom largeU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday began a three-day visit to Chile, ...
Read more »
Australians go to the polls in a 'fair go' election on May 18Australians will go to the polls in a general election on May 18 after Prime Min...
Read more »
After reality check, Indonesia's 'new face' in politics seeks second termWhen Indonesian President Joko Widodo was elected five years ago, the former fur...
Read more »
Pushing the envelope: Money politics mars Indonesian pollPushing the envelope: Money politics mars Indonesian poll by tom_allard Jessica Damiana
Read more »
Can Prabowo pull off an upset in Indonesia's presidential polls?Prabowo Subianto may seem like he's behind at the moment in Indonesia's presidential polls, but opinion polls are unreliable and an upset is a possibility.
Read more »
The Latest: Israeli exit polls show race too close to callJERUSALEM (AP) — The Latest on Israel's election (all times local): 10:15 p.m. Israeli exit polls indicate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and the rival Blue and White party...
Read more »
‘It’s good to be Rich’: Meet the Goldman Sachs banker who has built a private investing empire that goes head-to-head with Blackstone — and you’ve probably never heard of himRich Friedman may be asked to take on a more public role as CEO David Solomon looks to shine the light on Goldman's alternative-investing activities.
Read more »