Jokowi-backed presidential hopeful’s rating falls on soccer remark

GANJAR Pranowo lost the top spot as Indonesia’s most popular presidential hopeful after his comments against Israeli participation in the Under 20 FIFA World Cup were blamed for the removal of the country’s hosting rights, a survey showed. 

Support for the 54-year-old Central Java governor dropped to 26.9 per cent in the latest poll by Lembaga Survei Indonesia, his lowest score since it began collecting data in July last year.

Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto became the most popular at 30.3 per cent. Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, who has already secured a ticket to run in the 2024 elections, remained in third place.

The survey marks a blow to Ganjar, widely seen as President Joko Widodo’s favoured candidate who would provide continuity for his policies, including the US$34 billion relocation of Indonesia’s capital city. Support for PDI-P, Jokowi’s and Ganjar’s party, also took a hit, sinking to an all-time low of 17.7 per cent, even if it remains the most popular party. 

Earlier in March, Ganjar and Bali governor I Wayan Koster declared their refusal to host the Israeli teams for the U20 championship, saying it clashed with Indonesia’s pro-Palestine stance. Shortly after, FIFA removed Indonesia’s hosting rights for the U20 World Cup, causing widespread dismay among fans and players in the soccer-loving country. The cancellation is costing the country 3.7 trillion rupiah ($248.2 million), including venue renovation costs and foregone tourism.

The survey was done from Mar 31 to Apr 4, involving 1,229 respondents spread across the country, with a margin of error of about 2.9 per cent with 95 per cent confidence. BLOOMBERG