Indonesian Presidential Hopeful Prays Mecca Trip Will Win Votes, According to Reuters

By Kanupriya Kapoor

JAKARTA (Reuters) – The leading candidate in Indonesia’s presidential election has made a pilgrimage to Mecca in a strategic move aimed at winning over voters in the world’s largest Muslim population and dispelling damaging claims about his religious identity.

Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who initially held a significant lead in polls, has seen that advantage diminish as his opponent, former general Prabowo Subianto, has launched a robust and well-funded campaign. Some opinion polls now suggest the race is extremely close with just days to go.

The pilgrimage is seen as a crucial effort to counteract a smear campaign suggesting that Jokowi is an ethnic-Chinese Christian, a claim that has adversely affected his appeal among the predominantly Muslim electorate in Indonesia. Jokowi, a Muslim and native Indonesian, faces political jeopardy from such accusations, which have gained traction despite his background.

Critics argue that the Jokowi campaign has been disorganized, contributing to the impact of the negative campaigning. Members of Jokowi’s team have expressed frustration with the main party backing him, the Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P), for failing to mobilize its supporters effectively ahead of the election. This party was similarly criticized for its strategy during the April parliamentary elections, where it secured the top position but with fewer votes than anticipated.

WHITE ROBES

Images of Jokowi in white robes praying in Mecca circulated on social media, showcasing him performing the important Islamic ritual of walking around the Kaaba. In Indonesia, a country with a vibrant social media landscape, this platform plays a significant role in reaching young voters, who account for about one-third of the electorate. Both candidates have heavily utilized social media to disseminate their messages.

In recent years, displays of religious piety have increased significantly, reversing the trend during the long autocratic regime of Suharto, who ruled until 1998 and viewed Islamic extremism as a potential threat. There has been a notable rise in pilgrimages to Mecca, one of Islam’s five pillars, which Muslims are encouraged to undertake.

In Jakarta, the waiting list to participate in the full pilgrimage, or haj, exceeds ten years, often costing around 35 million rupiah, equivalent to Indonesia’s average yearly income. Jokowi’s trip, however, is not a complete haj, as many Muslims aim to visit Mecca during the fasting month of Ramadan, which started on June 29.

"This is a good strategy to mitigate the impact of the negative campaign, especially in West Java," noted Adriana Elisabeth, a political analyst at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. West Java accounts for approximately 20 percent of the national vote and houses some of the country’s most conservative Muslim groups, making it a critical area in the election.

"It’s not too late for him to convince people of his Muslim identity. Voters will likely remember this act when they cast their ballots," added Elisabeth.

The election commission has instituted a three-day "quiet period," prohibiting active campaigning immediately before the election. However, by traveling to Mecca and ensuring media coverage, Jokowi can maintain visibility without violating these rules. Notably, one of his key supporters owns a prominent television channel.

Jokowi utilized a similar strategy before the 2012 election for the governor of Jakarta, which also faced ethnic and religious tensions. He emerged victorious then.

Jokowi is expected to return to Jakarta on Tuesday morning, as confirmed by a campaign official.