The top two most popular candidates are two-time elected leader Ridwan Kamil (left) and former minister Pramono Anung. JAKARTA – Indonesians will go to the polls again on Nov 27, this time to elect local leaders, including the prominent Jakarta governor position. With three candidates jostling for the post, two have emerged as front runners.
The fight has been especially keen, as the post is widely seen as a springboard to the presidency, with the winner typically enjoying national media attention and high exposure to top political elites. Former president Joko Widodo is among notable politicians who have served as governor of Jakarta, where the current voting population stands at about 8.3 million.
According to the latest opinion polls in late October by Indonesian newspaper Kompas, the top two most popular candidates are two-time elected leader Ridwan Kamil, 53, and former minister Pramono Anung, 61. Both seasoned politicians led the polls – Ridwan with 38.3 per cent and Pramono with 34.
6 per cent. They told The Straits Times in separate interviews that they have plans to boost foreign investment to help fuel Jakarta’s economy, and hope to tackle persistent problems such as traffic jams and floods. The third candidate, 58-year-old retired police general Dharma Pongrekun, trailed way behind the two candidates, with 3.
3 per cent of the support. He did not respond to requests for an interview. The remaining 23.
8 per cent of the 1,200 survey respondents said they were und.
