Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is to challenge the official election result in the Constitutional Court, campaign team official Sufmi Dasco said on Tuesday.

The retired general lost last month's presidential election to incumbent President Joko Widodo.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-joko-widodo-wins-second-term-as-president-220251">Joko Widodo won another term as president</a> of the world's third-biggest democracy, official results showed Tuesday.

Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the election by a 55.5 per cent to 44.5 per cent margin over Subianto and Sandiaga Uno, the commission said.

Some 85.6 million Indonesians cast their ballot in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million voters, it added.

Subianto lost 2014 presidential bid to Widodo, which he unsuccessfully challenged in court.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is to challenge the official election result in the Constitutional Court, campaign team official Sufmi Dasco said on Tuesday.

Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is to challenge the official election result in the Constitutional Court, campaign team official Sufmi Dasco said on Tuesday. The retired general lost last month's presidential election to incumbent President Joko Widodo. Joko Widodo won another term as president of the world's third-biggest democracy, official results showed Tuesday. Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the election by a 55.5 per cent to 44.5 per cent margin over Subianto and Sandiaga Uno, the commission said. Some 85.6 million Indonesians cast their ballot in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million voters, it added. Subianto lost 2014 presidential bid to Widodo, which he unsuccessfully challenged in court. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto to challenge poll result in Constitutional Court

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-president-says-to-go-all-out-in-second-term-to-boost-economic-reform-217194">Indonesia's Joko Widodo</a> won another term as president of the world's third-biggest democracy, official results showed Tuesday, after his rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, alleged widespread cheating.

The elections commission was expected to announce the final tally of the April 17 poll on Wednesday in the Southeast Asian nation of 260 million.

But amid fears about unrest and street demonstrations in response to the final count, the official result was released early with little advance notice.

Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the election by a 55.5 per cent to 44.5 per cent margin over Subianto and Sandiaga Uno, the commission said.

Some 85.6 million Indonesians cast their ballot in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million voters, it added.

"This ruling... will be effective immediately," the commission's chair Arief Budiman said in a live-streamed announcement that was broadcast on major media.

Widodo, 57, had been widely predicted to win according to unofficial results.

But Subianto, 67, has vowed to challenge any victory for his rival, alleging widespread voter fraud and cheating, and warned that it could spark street protests across the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

Widodo held off declaring victory after unofficial results emerged last month as Subianto insisted he was the archipelago's next leader.

'Won't surrender

Subianto lost a 2014 presidential bid to Widodo, which he unsuccessfully challenged in court.

It was not immediately clear if Subianto would formally challenge the results announced Tuesday.

However, Azis Subekti, a witness for Subianto's camp, refused to sign and validate the official election results.

"We won't surrender in our fight against injustice, fraud and abuse," he was quoted as saying by Indonesia's Detik.com.

Some 32,000 security personnel were being deployed across the capital Jakarta, including in front of the elections commission's downtown office, which has been barricaded with razor wire.

Tensions have also been high since police said Friday that dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects have been arrested -- including some who had allegedly planned to detonate bombs at political demonstrations after the election results announcement.

Last month, Indonesia held its biggest-ever election, a massive one-day poll with more than 190 million registered voters and a record 245,000 candidates vying for the presidency, parliamentary seats and local legislator positions.

Election officials have discounted claims that the result was affected by voter fraud and widespread cheating.

"The scale of abuses and errors in the conduct of the election are clearly very minor overall," Jakarta-based political analyst Kevin O'Rourke said before Tuesday's official results.

"(Subianto) and his camp are harping on minor deficiencies and very micro problems, clearly in an attempt to sway public opinion and delegitimise Widodo."

This year's campaign was punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake news online -- much of it directed at the presidential contenders.

Subianto -- who has strong ties to the Suharto dictatorship that collapsed in 1998 -- was pilloried online for his refusal to concede and over his claims to have won the poll.

Indonesia's Joko Widodo won another term as president of the world's third-biggest democracy, official results showed Tuesday, after his rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, alleged widespread cheating.

Indonesia's Joko Widodo won another term as president of the world's third-biggest democracy, official results showed Tuesday, after his rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, alleged widespread cheating. The elections commission was expected to announce the final tally of the April 17 poll on Wednesday in the Southeast Asian nation of 260 million. But amid fears about unrest and street demonstrations in response to the final count, the official result was released early with little advance notice. Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the election by a 55.5 per cent to 44.5 per cent margin over Subianto and Sandiaga Uno, the commission said. Some 85.6 million Indonesians cast their ballot in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million voters, it added. "This ruling... will be effective immediately," the commission's chair Arief Budiman said in a live-streamed announcement that was broadcast on major media. Widodo, 57, had been widely predicted to win according to unofficial results. But Subianto, 67, has vowed to challenge any victory for his rival, alleging widespread voter fraud and cheating, and warned that it could spark street protests across the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. Widodo held off declaring victory after unofficial results emerged last month as Subianto insisted he was the archipelago's next leader. 'Won't surrender Subianto lost a 2014 presidential bid to Widodo, which he unsuccessfully challenged in court. It was not immediately clear if Subianto would formally challenge the results announced Tuesday. However, Azis Subekti, a witness for Subianto's camp, refused to sign and validate the official election results. "We won't surrender in our fight against injustice, fraud and abuse," he was quoted as saying by Indonesia's Detik.com. Some 32,000 security personnel were being deployed across the capital Jakarta, including in front of the elections commission's downtown office, which has been barricaded with razor wire. Tensions have also been high since police said Friday that dozens of Islamic State-linked terror suspects have been arrested -- including some who had allegedly planned to detonate bombs at political demonstrations after the election results announcement. Last month, Indonesia held its biggest-ever election, a massive one-day poll with more than 190 million registered voters and a record 245,000 candidates vying for the presidency, parliamentary seats and local legislator positions. Election officials have discounted claims that the result was affected by voter fraud and widespread cheating. "The scale of abuses and errors in the conduct of the election are clearly very minor overall," Jakarta-based political analyst Kevin O'Rourke said before Tuesday's official results. "(Subianto) and his camp are harping on minor deficiencies and very micro problems, clearly in an attempt to sway public opinion and delegitimise Widodo." This year's campaign was punctuated by bitter mudslinging and a slew of fake news online -- much of it directed at the presidential contenders. Subianto -- who has strong ties to the Suharto dictatorship that collapsed in 1998 -- was pilloried online for his refusal to concede and over his claims to have won the poll.

Indonesia's Joko Widodo wins second term as president

Police rolled out more barbed wire on Monday to tighten security outside Indonesia's election agency and readied armoured trucks and water cannons to quell any civil unrest when official results of a presidential poll are released this week.

With the General Election Commission (KPU) set to declare its count from last month's election by Wednesday, authorities have detained dozens of militant Islamists suspected of planning attacks to create mayhem during demonstrations.

The result is expected to confirm unofficial counts by private pollsters that put incumbent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-president-joko-widodo-says-may-reshuffle-cabinet-before-second-term-214310">President Joko Widodo</a> about 10 percentage points ahead of challenger Prabowo Subianto.

Although independent observers and analysts have said the poll was free and fair, Prabowo has refused to concede defeat, with his campaign team making accusations of "massive cheating and irregularities" during the vote and vote-counting.

The retired general has said the situation could trigger "people power"-style protests, while the government and police have urged protesters to keep the peace and vowed action against anyone stirring unrest.

Indonesia's election supervisory panel has dismissed two official complaints of election cheating, on grounds of insufficient evidence of violations.

Heavily armed security stood guard outside the election commission in central Jakarta, some accompanied by police dogs.

Last week, chief security minister Wiranto ordered police and military across Indonesia to prevent people from travelling to Jakarta en masse to join protests.

In East Java province, more than 1,200 Prabowo supporters were stopped from travelling to the capital.

"These people were attempting to travel by bus, car and train to join the rallies on May 22," said East Java police spokesman Frans Barung Mangera. "We prevented them."

Indonesia's biggest Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama, has also urged people to avoid rallies, saying its mosques would not accommodate protesters from outside the capital, except for prayers, media said.

The national police, who report directly to Widodo, has also held or interrogated at least three leading opposition figures for suspected treason.

Last week, police said they had detained about 30 suspected militants with ties to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), Indonesia's largest group linked to Islamic State, including some capable of using Wi-Fi networks to trigger blasts.

In a security alert, the US embassy in Jakarta advised citizens to avoid the sites of large demonstrations. The Australian embassy also warned that protests could unexpectedly turn violent.

Widodo now leads with 55% of the vote, while Prabowo has 45%, according to the panel's official count of nearly 90% of votes.

Once the official result is released, the losing party can lodge a legal challenge at the constitutional court. Otherwise, the commission will officially declare the winner by May 28.

Prabowo has not yet confirmed if he intends to go to court, but his challenge to his 2014 defeat by Widodo was rejected.

Police rolled out more barbed wire on Monday to tighten security outside Indonesia's election agency and readied armoured trucks and water cannons to quell any civil unrest when official results of a presidential poll are released this week.

Police rolled out more barbed wire on Monday to tighten security outside Indonesia's election agency and readied armoured trucks and water cannons to quell any civil unrest when official results of a presidential poll are released this week. With the General Election Commission (KPU) set to declare its count from last month's election by Wednesday, authorities have detained dozens of militant Islamists suspected of planning attacks to create mayhem during demonstrations. The result is expected to confirm unofficial counts by private pollsters that put incumbent President Joko Widodo about 10 percentage points ahead of challenger Prabowo Subianto. Although independent observers and analysts have said the poll was free and fair, Prabowo has refused to concede defeat, with his campaign team making accusations of "massive cheating and irregularities" during the vote and vote-counting. The retired general has said the situation could trigger "people power"-style protests, while the government and police have urged protesters to keep the peace and vowed action against anyone stirring unrest. Indonesia's election supervisory panel has dismissed two official complaints of election cheating, on grounds of insufficient evidence of violations. Heavily armed security stood guard outside the election commission in central Jakarta, some accompanied by police dogs. Last week, chief security minister Wiranto ordered police and military across Indonesia to prevent people from travelling to Jakarta en masse to join protests. In East Java province, more than 1,200 Prabowo supporters were stopped from travelling to the capital. "These people were attempting to travel by bus, car and train to join the rallies on May 22," said East Java police spokesman Frans Barung Mangera. "We prevented them." Indonesia's biggest Islamic group, Nahdlatul Ulama, has also urged people to avoid rallies, saying its mosques would not accommodate protesters from outside the capital, except for prayers, media said. The national police, who report directly to Widodo, has also held or interrogated at least three leading opposition figures for suspected treason. Last week, police said they had detained about 30 suspected militants with ties to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), Indonesia's largest group linked to Islamic State, including some capable of using Wi-Fi networks to trigger blasts. In a security alert, the US embassy in Jakarta advised citizens to avoid the sites of large demonstrations. The Australian embassy also warned that protests could unexpectedly turn violent. Widodo now leads with 55% of the vote, while Prabowo has 45%, according to the panel's official count of nearly 90% of votes. Once the official result is released, the losing party can lodge a legal challenge at the constitutional court. Otherwise, the commission will officially declare the winner by May 28. Prabowo has not yet confirmed if he intends to go to court, but his challenge to his 2014 defeat by Widodo was rejected.

Indonesia steps up security ahead of presidential election result

Indonesia will decide the site of its new capital this year with the aim of it being ready by 2024, a minister said Wednesday.

The decision to move the capital from megacity Jakarta came about two weeks ago after President Joko Widodo approved the long-mooted plan.&nbsp;

The government is finalising studies so they can decide this year and start the groundbreaking project in 2021, urban planning minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said.

"We've been coordinating to finalise the studies so we can decide this year where to move the capital to so the process and construction can begin in a year or two," he said.

"So we hope in 2024 the new capital is ready to be the new government centre", the minister added.

Jakarta -- and its surrounding satellite cities -- has a population of about 30 million people and is regularly rated as one of the most traffic-congested centres in the world.

Annual flooding due to excessive groundwater extraction has also made it one of the world's fastest-sinking cities.

Earlier this month President Widodo visited East and Central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo to scout for a new capital location.&nbsp;

Brodjonegoro said the only sites being considered for the new capital were "the two places we've visited earlier".

Jakarta, on the country's most populous island, Java, would remain the nation's financial hub, the government said.

Indonesia will decide the site of its new capital this year with the aim of it being ready by 2024, a minister said Wednesday. The decision to move the capital from megacity Jakarta came about two weeks ago after President Joko Widodo approved the long-mooted plan.

Indonesia will decide the site of its new capital this year with the aim of it being ready by 2024, a minister said Wednesday. The decision to move the capital from megacity Jakarta came about two weeks ago after President Joko Widodo approved the long-mooted plan. The government is finalising studies so they can decide this year and start the groundbreaking project in 2021, urban planning minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said. "We've been coordinating to finalise the studies so we can decide this year where to move the capital to so the process and construction can begin in a year or two," he said. "So we hope in 2024 the new capital is ready to be the new government centre", the minister added. Jakarta -- and its surrounding satellite cities -- has a population of about 30 million people and is regularly rated as one of the most traffic-congested centres in the world. Annual flooding due to excessive groundwater extraction has also made it one of the world's fastest-sinking cities. Earlier this month President Widodo visited East and Central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo to scout for a new capital location. Brodjonegoro said the only sites being considered for the new capital were "the two places we've visited earlier". Jakarta, on the country's most populous island, Java, would remain the nation's financial hub, the government said.

Indonesia's new capital to be decided this year, says urban planning minister

Indonesian President Joko Widodo pledged on Thursday to slim the government during his second term and cut red tape hampering investment to achieve an ambitious growth target in Southeast Asia`s biggest economy by 2045.&nbsp;

The president won an April 17 election based on sample counts of votes by private pollsters, but official results are not due until May 22.&nbsp;

"The slimmer our organisation, the faster we can run, the more flexibly we can decide on policies," Widodo said, vowing to axe government agencies that do not contribute to growth.

He was speaking to hundreds of regional leaders at the launch of "Vision Indonesia 2045", a roadmap to become the world`s fifth-biggest economy, with gross domestic product of $7.3 trillion, by the 100th anniversary of independence.&nbsp;

Widodo said he would also focus on adding infrastructure and improve human resources, in a speech that voiced frustration at Indonesia`s tortuous bureaucracy.&nbsp;

Despite his efforts since coming to power in 2014 to ease the path to starting a business, investors still found it difficult to enter some sectors, he added.&nbsp; 
For example, Widodo said, his administration had cut to 58 from 259 the permits required for power plant investments, but that was still too many and he wanted the figure cut to five.

"Five years ago investors came in droves, but only a few were hatched, because we couldn`t help them execute," he said.

"I`m so annoyed I couldn`t solve a problem that is so obvious," he added, referring to red tape.

Aides have said Widodo will pursue bolder economic reforms in his second term which runs until 2024, making significant improvements in the investment climate.

However, some analysts question whether he will be prepared to take on powerful vested interests and shake up a huge bureaucracy that often manages to blunt reform efforts.

&nbsp;Nevertheless, Widodo warned government agencies they could not stick to business as usual, at the risk of missing the 2045 target and trapping Indonesia as a middle-income country.

Achieving the target demands average annual economic growth of about 5.7 per cent, exceeding the last few years` figure of about 5 per cent.

"In the next five years, I do not have any burden," Widodo added. "I cannot run again. So anything that is the best for this country I would do." 
Indonesian presidents are limited to two terms in office.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo pledged on Thursday to slim the government during his second term and cut red tape hampering investment to achieve an ambitious growth target in Southeast Asia`s biggest economy by 2045.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo pledged on Thursday to slim the government during his second term and cut red tape hampering investment to achieve an ambitious growth target in Southeast Asia`s biggest economy by 2045. The president won an April 17 election based on sample counts of votes by private pollsters, but official results are not due until May 22. "The slimmer our organisation, the faster we can run, the more flexibly we can decide on policies," Widodo said, vowing to axe government agencies that do not contribute to growth. He was speaking to hundreds of regional leaders at the launch of "Vision Indonesia 2045", a roadmap to become the world`s fifth-biggest economy, with gross domestic product of $7.3 trillion, by the 100th anniversary of independence. Widodo said he would also focus on adding infrastructure and improve human resources, in a speech that voiced frustration at Indonesia`s tortuous bureaucracy. Despite his efforts since coming to power in 2014 to ease the path to starting a business, investors still found it difficult to enter some sectors, he added. For example, Widodo said, his administration had cut to 58 from 259 the permits required for power plant investments, but that was still too many and he wanted the figure cut to five. "Five years ago investors came in droves, but only a few were hatched, because we couldn`t help them execute," he said. "I`m so annoyed I couldn`t solve a problem that is so obvious," he added, referring to red tape. Aides have said Widodo will pursue bolder economic reforms in his second term which runs until 2024, making significant improvements in the investment climate. However, some analysts question whether he will be prepared to take on powerful vested interests and shake up a huge bureaucracy that often manages to blunt reform efforts. Nevertheless, Widodo warned government agencies they could not stick to business as usual, at the risk of missing the 2045 target and trapping Indonesia as a middle-income country. Achieving the target demands average annual economic growth of about 5.7 per cent, exceeding the last few years` figure of about 5 per cent. "In the next five years, I do not have any burden," Widodo added. "I cannot run again. So anything that is the best for this country I would do." Indonesian presidents are limited to two terms in office.

Indonesia president says to go all out in second term to boost economic reform

Indonesia is the president of United Nations Security Council for May 2019 and is also the chair of the UN's Sanctions Committee which listed Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.

WION's Sidhant Sibal spoke to Indonesia's envoy to India Sidharto Suryodipuro on a number of things regarding the listing of Masood Azhar including what went into the negotiations and Jakarta's role.

Here are the excerpts:

WION: What was Indonesia's role in the listing of Masood Azhar?

Sidharto Suryodipuro: The chairman of the 1267 Committee is guided, first of all, by mandate of the committee; secondly by the need to show credibility from all sides involved in the decision; and also to create a ground that everybody can agree on. These three roles guide him in ensuring that everybody is on board.

WION: What is the impact of Masood Azhar's listing as global terrorist?

Sidharto Suryodipuro: Listing means it falls under Chapter 7 of the United Nations charter, which all members of the UN are bound by. So listing basically means that all the countries must freeze the assets of the listed person, ban his travel and also put arms embargo. These are the measures that all countries are required to apply on the person who has been listed as a global terrorist.

WION: How do you see the decision, especially on terror?

Sidharto Suryodipuro: Well, terrorism is unacceptable. All terrorist must be brought before the courts of law. That is the principled position of Indonesia. We oppose terrorism everywhere because it is a threat to the whole of the international community. All the countries, in particular the victims, should enhance their cooperation. This is what India and Indonesia are doing. We have a joint working group on counter-terror and I believe its work is to strengthen (the cooperation). I think the challenge is greater than ever and the relationship between India and Indonesia is growing.

WION: Tell us briefly what goes into the negotiations?

Sidharto Suryodipuro: There are a number of dimensions to the negotiation. We understand there is the political side to it. So countries with particular interest will have their own negotiation. We understand that there are discussions between the capitals. The other side of it, the committee, in particular, the chair of the committee, has to ensure the ground is right, it is mature. When all sides want to take it to the committee, the committee is ready, the situation is mature, so they can have a productive decision.

WION: How do ties stand between India and Indonesia?

Sidharto Suryodipuro: It is a comprehensive strategic relation. We are looking for it in the long term. We have a shared vision of maritime cooperation. We also have elections at the same time. It means the new government, that will establish will have five years of stability to further build the relationship. You have to look it as in three decades, we will be the second and fourth largest economies. So what we doing today has strategic foundations to strengthen the ties.

Indonesia is the president of United Nations Security Council for May 2019 and is also the chair of the UN's Sanctions Committee which listed Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.

Indonesia is the president of United Nations Security Council for May 2019 and is also the chair of the UN's Sanctions Committee which listed Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. WION's Sidhant Sibal spoke to Indonesia's envoy to India Sidharto Suryodipuro on a number of things regarding the listing of Masood Azhar including what went into the negotiations and Jakarta's role. Here are the excerpts: WION: What was Indonesia's role in the listing of Masood Azhar? Sidharto Suryodipuro: The chairman of the 1267 Committee is guided, first of all, by mandate of the committee; secondly by the need to show credibility from all sides involved in the decision; and also to create a ground that everybody can agree on. These three roles guide him in ensuring that everybody is on board. WION: What is the impact of Masood Azhar's listing as global terrorist? Sidharto Suryodipuro: Listing means it falls under Chapter 7 of the United Nations charter, which all members of the UN are bound by. So listing basically means that all the countries must freeze the assets of the listed person, ban his travel and also put arms embargo. These are the measures that all countries are required to apply on the person who has been listed as a global terrorist. WION: How do you see the decision, especially on terror? Sidharto Suryodipuro: Well, terrorism is unacceptable. All terrorist must be brought before the courts of law. That is the principled position of Indonesia. We oppose terrorism everywhere because it is a threat to the whole of the international community. All the countries, in particular the victims, should enhance their cooperation. This is what India and Indonesia are doing. We have a joint working group on counter-terror and I believe its work is to strengthen (the cooperation). I think the challenge is greater than ever and the relationship between India and Indonesia is growing. WION: Tell us briefly what goes into the negotiations? Sidharto Suryodipuro: There are a number of dimensions to the negotiation. We understand there is the political side to it. So countries with particular interest will have their own negotiation. We understand that there are discussions between the capitals. The other side of it, the committee, in particular, the chair of the committee, has to ensure the ground is right, it is mature. When all sides want to take it to the committee, the committee is ready, the situation is mature, so they can have a productive decision. WION: How do ties stand between India and Indonesia? Sidharto Suryodipuro: It is a comprehensive strategic relation. We are looking for it in the long term. We have a shared vision of maritime cooperation. We also have elections at the same time. It means the new government, that will establish will have five years of stability to further build the relationship. You have to look it as in three decades, we will be the second and fourth largest economies. So what we doing today has strategic foundations to strengthen the ties.

There is a political side to negotiations: Indonesia envoy Sidharto Suryodipuro on Masood Azhar listing

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday approved a long-term plan for the government to abandon overcrowded, sinking and polluted Jakarta and build a new capital.

Indonesia plans to move capital from Jakarta

At least 29 people are dead and dozen still missing after days of heavy rain-triggered floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials said on Sunday. &nbsp;

Indonesia's disaster agency confirmed 29 deaths and said at least 13 people were missing.

Around 12,000 people have been evacuated from Bengkulu province with hundreds of buildings, bridges and roads damaged.

Authorities have set up temporary shelters and public kitchens for the evacuees.

Public kitchens and evacuation shelters have been set up to cater to some 13,000 people affected by the flooding, while search and rescue teams try to reach hard-hit areas with rubber boats.

Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago.

(With inputs from AFP)

At least 29 people are dead and dozen still missing after days of heavy rain-triggered floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials said on Sunday.

At least 29 people are dead and dozen still missing after days of heavy rain-triggered floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials said on Sunday. Indonesia's disaster agency confirmed 29 deaths and said at least 13 people were missing. Around 12,000 people have been evacuated from Bengkulu province with hundreds of buildings, bridges and roads damaged. Authorities have set up temporary shelters and public kitchens for the evacuees. Public kitchens and evacuation shelters have been set up to cater to some 13,000 people affected by the flooding, while search and rescue teams try to reach hard-hit areas with rubber boats. Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago. (With inputs from AFP)

Death toll rises to 29 in Indonesia floods, dozens still missing

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he is considering to reshuffle the cabinet before swearing-in for a second five-year term in October, a local newspaper published on Monday.

During an interview, Widodo hinted that he would not insist on choosing technocrats over politicians.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joko-widodo-claims-victory-in-indonesian-presidential-elections-211561">Widodo claimed victory</a> based on unofficial results in a televised press conference in Jakarta. Though official results are not due until May 22.

Widodo had reshuffled his cabinet several times during his first term. His cabinet is a mixture of technocrats and politicians from parties in his ruling coalition.

The president will continue the economic reforms which he started in his first term with a focus on tackling sagging foreign investment, the troubled education system and restrictive labour rules, news agency Reuters reported.

Widodo’s main rival, former military general Prabowo Subianto made a public speech claiming his own victory.

The president urged his supporters to wait for the official results, set to be declared in May.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he is considering to reshuffle the cabinet before swearing-in for a second five-year term in October, a local newspaper published on Monday.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he is considering to reshuffle the cabinet before swearing-in for a second five-year term in October, a local newspaper published on Monday. During an interview, Widodo hinted that he would not insist on choosing technocrats over politicians. Widodo claimed victory based on unofficial results in a televised press conference in Jakarta. Though official results are not due until May 22. Widodo had reshuffled his cabinet several times during his first term. His cabinet is a mixture of technocrats and politicians from parties in his ruling coalition. The president will continue the economic reforms which he started in his first term with a focus on tackling sagging foreign investment, the troubled education system and restrictive labour rules, news agency Reuters reported. Widodo’s main rival, former military general Prabowo Subianto made a public speech claiming his own victory. The president urged his supporters to wait for the official results, set to be declared in May. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia President Joko Widodo says may reshuffle cabinet before second term

Indonesia's president has decided to move the capital of the world's fourth most populous country away from the crowded main island of Java, but has yet to finalise a new location, the planning minister said on Monday.

President Joko Widodo's decision comes less than two weeks after private pollsters said he had won an April 17 presidential election, although official results are not due until May 22. His challenger, Prabowo Subianto, has also claimed victory.

"The president chose to relocate the capital city to the outside of Java, an important decision," Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro told a news conference after a cabinet meeting.

Brodjonegoro said the administration had yet to pick a new location but was looking at the eastern side of the sprawling archipelago.

At the opening of his cabinet meeting, Widodo stressed the need for new thinking about the future.

"We want to think in a visionary way for the progress of this country and moving the capital requires thorough and detailed preparation," he said.

The current capital, Jakarta, is home to more than 10 million people, but around three times that many people live in the surrounding towns adding to the area's severe congestion.

Brodjonegoro put the annual economic loss due to traffic congestion in Jakarta at 100 trillion rupiah ($7.04 billion).

The low-lying capital is also prone to flooding and is sinking due to over-extraction of groundwater.

In making his decision, Widodo had also taken into account the fact that nearly 60 per cent of Indonesia's 260 million people live in Java and economic activities were concentrated there, Brodjonegoro said.

During the recent election campaign, Widodo promised to spread economic development more evenly outside Java.

The planning minister did not estimate the cost of moving the capital but said the president had ordered the finance ministry to come up with a financing scheme that allowed participation of private investors.

He said moving the capital could take up to 10 years, citing examples such as Brazil and Kazakhstan.

One of the contenders for the new capital city is Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo, state news agency Antara reported this year.

Authorities there had prepared 300,000 hectares of land in case it is chosen as a new government hub, Antara said.

Indonesia's president has decided to move the capital of the world's fourth most populous country away from the crowded main island of Java, but has yet to finalise a new location, the planning minister said on Monday.

Indonesia's president has decided to move the capital of the world's fourth most populous country away from the crowded main island of Java, but has yet to finalise a new location, the planning minister said on Monday. President Joko Widodo's decision comes less than two weeks after private pollsters said he had won an April 17 presidential election, although official results are not due until May 22. His challenger, Prabowo Subianto, has also claimed victory. "The president chose to relocate the capital city to the outside of Java, an important decision," Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro told a news conference after a cabinet meeting. Brodjonegoro said the administration had yet to pick a new location but was looking at the eastern side of the sprawling archipelago. At the opening of his cabinet meeting, Widodo stressed the need for new thinking about the future. "We want to think in a visionary way for the progress of this country and moving the capital requires thorough and detailed preparation," he said. The current capital, Jakarta, is home to more than 10 million people, but around three times that many people live in the surrounding towns adding to the area's severe congestion. Brodjonegoro put the annual economic loss due to traffic congestion in Jakarta at 100 trillion rupiah ($7.04 billion). The low-lying capital is also prone to flooding and is sinking due to over-extraction of groundwater. In making his decision, Widodo had also taken into account the fact that nearly 60 per cent of Indonesia's 260 million people live in Java and economic activities were concentrated there, Brodjonegoro said. During the recent election campaign, Widodo promised to spread economic development more evenly outside Java. The planning minister did not estimate the cost of moving the capital but said the president had ordered the finance ministry to come up with a financing scheme that allowed participation of private investors. He said moving the capital could take up to 10 years, citing examples such as Brazil and Kazakhstan. One of the contenders for the new capital city is Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo, state news agency Antara reported this year. Authorities there had prepared 300,000 hectares of land in case it is chosen as a new government hub, Antara said.

Indonesia plans to move capital city out of crowded Java island

272 Indonesian staff died from overwork related illnesses after Single-Day Elections in Indonesia. Watch this video to know more.

Indonesian Polls: 272 Indonesian staff died from overwork related illnesses

Ten days after Indonesia held the world's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-worlds-biggest-one-day-election-indonesia-votes-for-its-president-211029">biggest single-day elections</a>, more than 270 election staff have died, mostly of fatigue-related illnesses caused by long hours of work counting millions of ballot papers by hand, an official said on Sunday.

The April 17 elections were the first time the country of 260 million people combined the presidential vote with national and regional parliamentary ones, with an aim to cut costs.

Voting was largely peaceful and was estimated to have drawn 80 per cent of the total 193 million voters, who each had to punch up to five ballot papers in over 800,000 polling stations.

But conducting the eight-hour vote in a country that stretches more than 5,000 km (3,000 miles) from its western to eastern tips proven to be both a Herculean logistical feat and deadly for officials, who had to count ballot papers by hand.

As of Saturday night, 272 election officials had died, mostly from overwork-related illnesses, while 1,878 others had fallen ill, said Arief Priyo Susanto, spokesman of the General Elections Commission (KPU).

The Health Ministry issued a circular letter on April 23 urging health facilities to give utmost care for sick election staff, while the Finance Ministry is working on compensation for families of the deceased, Susanto added.

The KPU has come under fire due to the rising death toll.

"The KPU is not prudent in managing the workload of staff," said Ahmad Muzani, deputy chairman of the campaign of opposition presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, reported by news website Kumparan.com.

Prabowo, who independent pollsters said was the loser of the 2019 polls based on quick counts, had alleged widespread cheating and his campaign claimed some officials punched ballots in favour of incumbent President Joko Widodo. Widodo's security minister said the allegations were baseless.

Both candidates have declared victory, though quick counts suggested Widodo won the election by around 9-10 percentage points.

The KPU will conclude vote counting and announce winners of the presidential and parliamentary elections on May 22.

Ten days after Indonesia held the world's biggest single-day elections, more than 270 election staff have died, mostly of fatigue-related illnesses caused by long hours of work counting millions of ballot papers by hand, an official said on Sunday.

Ten days after Indonesia held the world's biggest single-day elections, more than 270 election staff have died, mostly of fatigue-related illnesses caused by long hours of work counting millions of ballot papers by hand, an official said on Sunday. The April 17 elections were the first time the country of 260 million people combined the presidential vote with national and regional parliamentary ones, with an aim to cut costs. Voting was largely peaceful and was estimated to have drawn 80 per cent of the total 193 million voters, who each had to punch up to five ballot papers in over 800,000 polling stations. But conducting the eight-hour vote in a country that stretches more than 5,000 km (3,000 miles) from its western to eastern tips proven to be both a Herculean logistical feat and deadly for officials, who had to count ballot papers by hand. As of Saturday night, 272 election officials had died, mostly from overwork-related illnesses, while 1,878 others had fallen ill, said Arief Priyo Susanto, spokesman of the General Elections Commission (KPU). The Health Ministry issued a circular letter on April 23 urging health facilities to give utmost care for sick election staff, while the Finance Ministry is working on compensation for families of the deceased, Susanto added. The KPU has come under fire due to the rising death toll. "The KPU is not prudent in managing the workload of staff," said Ahmad Muzani, deputy chairman of the campaign of opposition presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, reported by news website Kumparan.com. Prabowo, who independent pollsters said was the loser of the 2019 polls based on quick counts, had alleged widespread cheating and his campaign claimed some officials punched ballots in favour of incumbent President Joko Widodo. Widodo's security minister said the allegations were baseless. Both candidates have declared victory, though quick counts suggested Widodo won the election by around 9-10 percentage points. The KPU will conclude vote counting and announce winners of the presidential and parliamentary elections on May 22.

Manual counting of votes kills 270 in Indonesia after general polls

At least 10 people are dead and eight are missing after days of heavy rain-triggered floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, authorities said Sunday. &nbsp;

Some 12,000 people have been evacuated while hundreds of buildings, bridges and roads have been damaged by the severe weather which affected nine districts or towns across Bengkulu province, officials said.

The waters have receded in some places but officials warned the full extent of the damage was not yet known and some areas were still cut off.

"The impact of this disaster may increase," national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, adding that several people were also injured in the flooding.

"Landslides and floods could happen again if rainfall is high," he said.

A "secondary disaster" in the form of skin diseases and acute respiratory infection due to poor hygiene and a lack of clean water was possible, he added.

Aerial images showed swollen rivers that had burst their banks and inundated settlements in some parts of the province.

Public kitchens and evacuation shelters have been set up to cater to some 13,000 people affected by the flooding, while search and rescue teams try to reach hard-hit areas with rubber boats.

"The distribution of aid has been hampered because road access has been cut off by the floods and landslides," Nugroho said, adding excavators were being used to clear debris from roads.

Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago.

Flooding in parts of the Indonesian capital Jakarta this week killed at least two people and forced more than 2000 to evacuate their homes.

Residents of Bogor, a satellite city of Jakarta, had to contend with some 14 pythons that were set loose from a private property due to the high waters.

Six of the snakes -- which were as long as four metres -- have been found, but the remaining eight remain on the loose, officials said.

At least 10 people are dead and eight are missing after days of heavy rain-triggered floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, authorities said Sunday.

At least 10 people are dead and eight are missing after days of heavy rain-triggered floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, authorities said Sunday. Some 12,000 people have been evacuated while hundreds of buildings, bridges and roads have been damaged by the severe weather which affected nine districts or towns across Bengkulu province, officials said. The waters have receded in some places but officials warned the full extent of the damage was not yet known and some areas were still cut off. "The impact of this disaster may increase," national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, adding that several people were also injured in the flooding. "Landslides and floods could happen again if rainfall is high," he said. A "secondary disaster" in the form of skin diseases and acute respiratory infection due to poor hygiene and a lack of clean water was possible, he added. Aerial images showed swollen rivers that had burst their banks and inundated settlements in some parts of the province. Public kitchens and evacuation shelters have been set up to cater to some 13,000 people affected by the flooding, while search and rescue teams try to reach hard-hit areas with rubber boats. "The distribution of aid has been hampered because road access has been cut off by the floods and landslides," Nugroho said, adding excavators were being used to clear debris from roads. Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago. Flooding in parts of the Indonesian capital Jakarta this week killed at least two people and forced more than 2000 to evacuate their homes. Residents of Bogor, a satellite city of Jakarta, had to contend with some 14 pythons that were set loose from a private property due to the high waters. Six of the snakes -- which were as long as four metres -- have been found, but the remaining eight remain on the loose, officials said.

At least 10 dead, thousands displaced after severe Indonesia floods

From Israel to India, countries that held or will conduct general polls this year

To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India, Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana.

The stamp, designed by Indonesian sculptor Padmashri Bapak Nyoman Nuarta, features a scene from Ramayana in which Jatayu fought to save Sita, the Embassy of India in Jakarta said in a statement.

A specially signed version of the stamp will be on display at the Philately Museum in Jakarta, the statement said.

The event was attended by India's Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Indonesia's Vice Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India, Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of its diplomatic ties with India, Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana. The stamp, designed by Indonesian sculptor Padmashri Bapak Nyoman Nuarta, features a scene from Ramayana in which Jatayu fought to save Sita, the Embassy of India in Jakarta said in a statement. A specially signed version of the stamp will be on display at the Philately Museum in Jakarta, the statement said. The event was attended by India's Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat and Indonesia's Vice Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir.

Indonesia releases special stamp on Ramayana theme

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/voting-underway-in-indonesia-what-makes-the-poll-so-complex-211065">Indonesia</a>'s ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said.

Indonesia held simultaneous <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-election-what-you-need-to-know-211100">presidential and parliamentary elections</a> on Wednesday.

Widodo, running against former general Prabowo Subianto after a six-month campaign, appears to be on course to win the race to lead the world's third-largest democracy, securing a second term, "quick count" results from private pollsters show.

Prabowo, as he is known in Indonesia, has disputed those findings and said internal polls show he is set for a win.

A quick count of a sample of votes by pollsters Kompas and Indo Barometers show the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), of which Widodo is a member, is likely to win 20.48 per cent of the votes for the national parliament.

PDI-P leads Widodo's 10-party coalition which now controls the lower house, which is the main parliamentary chamber.

However, both pollsters find that Prabowo's Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) is on track to become parliament's second largest party, with 13 per cent of the vote.

"PDI-P will take first, with better results than 2014, as expected, riding on Jokowi's coat tails," said Achmad Sukarsono, an Indonesia analyst at Control Risks, using the president's nickname.

"Gerindra will also enjoy a coat tail effect and is very likely to replace Golkar as the second party, which has suffered from corruption scandals."

Kompas and Indo Barometer are two of more than 40 pollsters accredited by the General Elections Commission to conduct unofficial quick counts.

In previous elections, the counts from reputable companies proved to be accurate.

Islamic parties also appeared to have done well. The moderate National Awakening Party (PKB), which is part of the Jokowi coalition, is on track to get 9 per cent of the vote. The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which is aligned with Prabowo, also had about 9 per cent of the vote, according to the quick counts.

The smaller National Mandate party, which is part of Prabowo's coalition, had less than 7 per cent of the vote.

The poll followed a campaign dominated by economic issues but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

Official results will be announced by the election commission on May 22.

There are 575 seats in the lower house of the national parliament up for grabs and 136 in the upper house.

Indonesia's ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said.

Indonesia's ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said. Indonesia held simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday. Widodo, running against former general Prabowo Subianto after a six-month campaign, appears to be on course to win the race to lead the world's third-largest democracy, securing a second term, "quick count" results from private pollsters show. Prabowo, as he is known in Indonesia, has disputed those findings and said internal polls show he is set for a win. A quick count of a sample of votes by pollsters Kompas and Indo Barometers show the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), of which Widodo is a member, is likely to win 20.48 per cent of the votes for the national parliament. PDI-P leads Widodo's 10-party coalition which now controls the lower house, which is the main parliamentary chamber. However, both pollsters find that Prabowo's Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) is on track to become parliament's second largest party, with 13 per cent of the vote. "PDI-P will take first, with better results than 2014, as expected, riding on Jokowi's coat tails," said Achmad Sukarsono, an Indonesia analyst at Control Risks, using the president's nickname. "Gerindra will also enjoy a coat tail effect and is very likely to replace Golkar as the second party, which has suffered from corruption scandals." Kompas and Indo Barometer are two of more than 40 pollsters accredited by the General Elections Commission to conduct unofficial quick counts. In previous elections, the counts from reputable companies proved to be accurate. Islamic parties also appeared to have done well. The moderate National Awakening Party (PKB), which is part of the Jokowi coalition, is on track to get 9 per cent of the vote. The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which is aligned with Prabowo, also had about 9 per cent of the vote, according to the quick counts. The smaller National Mandate party, which is part of Prabowo's coalition, had less than 7 per cent of the vote. The poll followed a campaign dominated by economic issues but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. Official results will be announced by the election commission on May 22. There are 575 seats in the lower house of the national parliament up for grabs and 136 in the upper house.

President Joko Widodo's ruling coalition on course to victory in Indonesia

The incumbent president of Indonesia on Thursday declared victory in the national elections held a day earlier amid opposition allegations of electoral fraud.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/post-poll-indonesia-police-chief-warns-against-mass-demonstrations-211499">Joko Widodo</a> claimed victory based on unofficial results in a televised press conference in Jakarta.

He said initial vote counts were a scientific method of calculating the results and they had been 99 per cent accurate in earlier elections.

The president urged his supporters to wait for the official results, set to be declared in May.

He told journalists that he had received congratulatory messages on his reelection from around 20 world leaders.

Widodo’s main rival, former military general Prabowo Subianto made a public speech claiming his own victory.

Seemingly targeting his conservative Muslim support base, Prabowo ended with three shouts of "Allah o Akbar" (Allah is great), significant in the country with the world's largest Muslim population.&nbsp;

The former general said he had evidence that there had been attempts of electoral fraud in villages and cities across Indonesia.

Unofficial projections by pollsters showed that Widodo had received 54 per cent of the votes while Prabowo had secured 45 per cent support.

The Election Commission (KPU) said the elections were held without major problems, and analysts have largely agreed, citing the difficulty of carrying out electoral fraud to an extent that could alter results, due to the presence of observers and the supervisory methods in place.&nbsp;

Both leaders appealed for calm in their speeches, although the former general had alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls during the campaign and threatened to go to the courts or mobilize "people's power" unless the issue is resolved.

Earlier on Thursday, Security Affairs Minister Wiranto had warned of strict action to counter any threats to democracy after the elections, adding that armed forces would arrest and "neutralize" those who indulged in actions that disturbed the peace and national security.

The president, popularly known as Jokowi, said in a TV interview that he had sent a member of his team to urge Prabowo and his running mate — entrepreneur Sandiago Uno — to help in pacifying the atmosphere.

More than 192 million Indonesians were eligible to vote in the third biggest democracy in the world, where the presidential and legislative elections were held simultaneously for the first time, with around 20,000 candidates in the fray.&nbsp;

The incumbent president of Indonesia on Thursday declared victory in the national elections held a day earlier amid opposition allegations of electoral fraud. Joko Widodo claimed victory based on unofficial results in a televised press conference in Jakarta.

The incumbent president of Indonesia on Thursday declared victory in the national elections held a day earlier amid opposition allegations of electoral fraud. Joko Widodo claimed victory based on unofficial results in a televised press conference in Jakarta. He said initial vote counts were a scientific method of calculating the results and they had been 99 per cent accurate in earlier elections. The president urged his supporters to wait for the official results, set to be declared in May. He told journalists that he had received congratulatory messages on his reelection from around 20 world leaders. Widodo’s main rival, former military general Prabowo Subianto made a public speech claiming his own victory. Seemingly targeting his conservative Muslim support base, Prabowo ended with three shouts of "Allah o Akbar" (Allah is great), significant in the country with the world's largest Muslim population. The former general said he had evidence that there had been attempts of electoral fraud in villages and cities across Indonesia. Unofficial projections by pollsters showed that Widodo had received 54 per cent of the votes while Prabowo had secured 45 per cent support. The Election Commission (KPU) said the elections were held without major problems, and analysts have largely agreed, citing the difficulty of carrying out electoral fraud to an extent that could alter results, due to the presence of observers and the supervisory methods in place. Both leaders appealed for calm in their speeches, although the former general had alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls during the campaign and threatened to go to the courts or mobilize "people's power" unless the issue is resolved. Earlier on Thursday, Security Affairs Minister Wiranto had warned of strict action to counter any threats to democracy after the elections, adding that armed forces would arrest and "neutralize" those who indulged in actions that disturbed the peace and national security. The president, popularly known as Jokowi, said in a TV interview that he had sent a member of his team to urge Prabowo and his running mate — entrepreneur Sandiago Uno — to help in pacifying the atmosphere. More than 192 million Indonesians were eligible to vote in the third biggest democracy in the world, where the presidential and legislative elections were held simultaneously for the first time, with around 20,000 candidates in the fray.

Joko Widodo claims victory in Indonesian presidential elections

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/economy-conservative-islam-in-spotlight-as-indonesia-goes-to-the-polls-211073">Polls closed in Indonesia </a>on Wednesday in elections for president and parliament after a campaign across the sprawling equatorial archipelago that was dominated by economic issues but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam.

The eight-hour vote across a country that stretches more than 5,000 km (3,000 miles) from its western to eastern tips was both a Herculean logistical feat and testimony to the resilience of democracy two decades after authoritarianism was defeated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-election-what-you-need-to-know-211100">Indonesia's election: What you need to know</a>

President Joko Widodo, a furniture businessman who entered politics 14 years ago as a small-city mayor, is seeking re-election against former general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in the last election, in 2014.

Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead, but the opposition says the race is much closer and Prabowo, dressed in a white shirt and a traditional peci cap, said before voting in the city of Bogor he was optimistic about winning.

Widodo, dressed in a white shirt and accompanied by First Lady Iriana Widodo, voted in the capital.

"I feel relieved," said Widodo, after casting his ballot and displaying a finger dipped in indelible ink, part of the process of avoiding fraudulent voting.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and closed at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west.

Unofficial "quick counts", based on samples from polling stations, will be released two hours after voting ends. The winning presidential candidate could be known by late on Wednesday, though official results will not come until May.

Any disputes can be taken to the Constitutional Court where a nine-judge panel will have 14 days to rule on them.

VOTING DELAYS

More than 10,000 volunteers will crowd-source election results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud.

However, the opposition has already alleged voter list irregularities that could affect millions and has vowed legal or "people power" action if its concerns are ignored.

Widodo’s running mate, Muslim cleric Ma'ruf Amin, called a for a peaceful vote.

"The presidential election is not a war, but a search for the best leader," Kompas TV cited him as saying.

The election is being billed as the world's biggest single-day vote and is certainly one of the most complicated, with voters contending with five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates.

Some voters in Jakarta clearly struggled with the process.

"The ballots with the photos on it were actually confusing. And the other one had a lot of names I didn’t recognise," said first-time voter Orlando Yudistira, 19.

In the easternmost province of Papua, voting in some areas was delayed until later this week after as many as 64 districts had not received "needed election logistics", officials said.

Flash floods destroyed three polling stations, disrupting voting, on Sumatra island, media said.

WIDODO WIN PRICED IN

Widodo campaigned on his record of deregulation and improving infrastructure, calling his first term as step to tackling inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

Bread and butter issues were at the forefront of the minds of many voters.

"I hope in future prices of staple foods will be cheaper, especially as we are heading into Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr," said Nurani, a 41-year-old mother of three, voting in Bandar Lampung in Sumatra.

But religion has also been a factor in the election in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country where conservatives have been increasingly influential.

Widodo, a moderate Muslim from Java island, had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia. He picked Islamic cleric Amin, 76, as his running mate.

Prabowo, a former special forces commander who has links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business entrepreneur Sandiaga Uno, pledged to boost the economy by slashing taxes and cutting food prices.

An unexpected win for the challenger could trigger a brief sell-off in financial markets that have priced in a Widodo victory, analysts say.

Polls closed in Indonesia on Wednesday in elections for president and parliament after a campaign across the sprawling equatorial archipelago that was dominated by economic issues but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam.

Polls closed in Indonesia on Wednesday in elections for president and parliament after a campaign across the sprawling equatorial archipelago that was dominated by economic issues but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam. The eight-hour vote across a country that stretches more than 5,000 km (3,000 miles) from its western to eastern tips was both a Herculean logistical feat and testimony to the resilience of democracy two decades after authoritarianism was defeated. Indonesia's election: What you need to know President Joko Widodo, a furniture businessman who entered politics 14 years ago as a small-city mayor, is seeking re-election against former general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in the last election, in 2014. Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead, but the opposition says the race is much closer and Prabowo, dressed in a white shirt and a traditional peci cap, said before voting in the city of Bogor he was optimistic about winning. Widodo, dressed in a white shirt and accompanied by First Lady Iriana Widodo, voted in the capital. "I feel relieved," said Widodo, after casting his ballot and displaying a finger dipped in indelible ink, part of the process of avoiding fraudulent voting. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and closed at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west. Unofficial "quick counts", based on samples from polling stations, will be released two hours after voting ends. The winning presidential candidate could be known by late on Wednesday, though official results will not come until May. Any disputes can be taken to the Constitutional Court where a nine-judge panel will have 14 days to rule on them. VOTING DELAYS More than 10,000 volunteers will crowd-source election results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud. However, the opposition has already alleged voter list irregularities that could affect millions and has vowed legal or "people power" action if its concerns are ignored. Widodo’s running mate, Muslim cleric Ma'ruf Amin, called a for a peaceful vote. "The presidential election is not a war, but a search for the best leader," Kompas TV cited him as saying. The election is being billed as the world's biggest single-day vote and is certainly one of the most complicated, with voters contending with five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates. Some voters in Jakarta clearly struggled with the process. "The ballots with the photos on it were actually confusing. And the other one had a lot of names I didn’t recognise," said first-time voter Orlando Yudistira, 19. In the easternmost province of Papua, voting in some areas was delayed until later this week after as many as 64 districts had not received "needed election logistics", officials said. Flash floods destroyed three polling stations, disrupting voting, on Sumatra island, media said. WIDODO WIN PRICED IN Widodo campaigned on his record of deregulation and improving infrastructure, calling his first term as step to tackling inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. Bread and butter issues were at the forefront of the minds of many voters. "I hope in future prices of staple foods will be cheaper, especially as we are heading into Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr," said Nurani, a 41-year-old mother of three, voting in Bandar Lampung in Sumatra. But religion has also been a factor in the election in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country where conservatives have been increasingly influential. Widodo, a moderate Muslim from Java island, had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia. He picked Islamic cleric Amin, 76, as his running mate. Prabowo, a former special forces commander who has links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business entrepreneur Sandiaga Uno, pledged to boost the economy by slashing taxes and cutting food prices. An unexpected win for the challenger could trigger a brief sell-off in financial markets that have priced in a Widodo victory, analysts say.

Polls close in Indonesia, next president should be clear within hours

Indonesians voted in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polls-close-in-indonesias-giant-one-day-election-211089">world's biggest single-day election </a>across the sprawling equatorial archipelago on Wednesday following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

President Joko Widodo, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014.

The election has been dominated by economic issues, but also marked by the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/economy-conservative-islam-in-spotlight-as-indonesia-goes-to-the-polls-211073"> growing influence of conservative Islam</a>, with politicians including Widodo taking pains to appear more Islamic. The worry for investors is that the appeal for conservative votes will translate into populist policy.

Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings. Some recent surveys have shown Prabowo catching up.

The opposition has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved.

The election is a huge logistical operation in the world's third-largest democracy with 245,000 candidates vying for votes cast during a mere eight hours.

Voters have to cast five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates, some clearly struggling with the process.

"The ballots with the photos on it were actually confusing. And the other one had a lot of names I didn’t recognise," said Orlando Yudistira, 19, a first-time voter in Jakarta.

Nearly 350,000 police and military personnel, in addition to 1.6 million paramilitary officers, have fanned out across the archipelago of 17,000 islands to safeguard the vote.

More than 10,000 people have also volunteered to crowd-source results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and will close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west.

Unofficial "quick counts" will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent later today.

The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May.

THE 'NEW FACE' IN POLITICS, WIDODO SEEKS A SECOND TERM

When Widodo was elected five years ago he offered a break from the military and political elite that had clung to power since the fall of strongman ruler Suharto in 1998.

Now, Widodo, 57, is running on his own record for a second term.

With his easy smile and signature "blusukan", or impromptu walkabouts, he came to power on a wave of support for the clean, can-do image he cultivated as a small-city mayor, and then as governor of the capital, Jakarta.

Still, during his political rise, Widodo, a moderate Muslim from the city of Solo in Java island, has had to fend off smear campaigns suggesting he was anti-Islam, a communist or in debt to China. On Sunday, he made a pilgrimage to Islam's holiest site, Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

As president, Widodo was saddled with expectations he could fix a host of problems, from human rights abuses to pervasive graft. Jokowi, as he is popularly known, also inherited an economy coming off a commodities boom, and faced an obstructive parliament.

He stitched together a majority in parliament and while unable to hit an economic growth target of 7 percent, led a push to build ports, roads and airports.

THE CHALLENGER - FORMER SPECIAL FORCES COMMANDER

Challenger Prabowo Subianto, 67, has long harboured ambitions for the top job and has cultivated a strongman image and ties with hardline Islamist groups in the hope of boosting his chances.

In the last election, in 2014, Prabowo, the head of the Great Indonesia Movement party, came within 6 percentage points of beating Widodo.

A former special forces commander, Prabowo comes from an elite political family. His father was one of Indonesia's most prominent economists, serving in the cabinets of both presidents Sukarno and Suharto. The latter was his father-in-law.

Prabowo has fired up his rallies with warnings the country is at the mercy of unspecified foreign powers and on the verge of fragmentation.

CLAWING BACK VOTER SUPPORT IN MUSLIM HEARTLAND

Since taking office, Widodo has made efforts to bring religious parties into his coalition, and to secure the backing of the conservative voters he failed to win over in 2014.

His decision to pick Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, 76, as his running mate was part of a strategy to enhance his ticket's appeal among conservatives but it disappointed some of his moderate and progressive supporters, who say the president is pandering to conservatives and fear the erosion of Indonesia's reputation for religious tolerance and pluralism.

Widodo's aides say the mobilisation of grassroots support and canvassing of thousands of Islamic schools in conservative provinces is crucial to prevent a repeat of 2014, when the opposition attacks cost him votes.

DISGRUNTLED RURAL VOTERS WEIGH OPTIONS

Economic growth has hovered at about 5 per cent over Widodo's first term, but there has been a drop in real income for its nearly 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force.

Widodo has sought to tame inflation with a cap on prices of staples such as rice and shallots, and to import more food. He remains popular in many rural areas though some farmers are considering the opposition even though Widodo has led an infrastructure drive that has improved access to markets.

Prabowo has said some of Widodo's infrastructure projects have failed to help ordinary people.

THE FRONTLINE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA ELECTION BATTLE

This election has been fought out over social media as never before. So-called buzzer teams have proliferated, named for the buzz they aim to create, to spread propaganda on behalf of both Widodo and Prabowo, sometimes with fake accounts.

Under Indonesia's broad internet defamation law, creating and spreading fake news is illegal, but holding social media accounts in false names is not, unless a real person is being impersonated. Both campaign teams deny using buzzers or spreading fake news.

Misinformation is rampant on Facebook, which counts Indonesia as its third-largest market globally with an estimated 130 million accounts, as well as on its Instagram and WhatsApp affiliates and rival service Twitter.

The companies say they are working with the government and fighting false content.

BREAKDANCING, HOLOGRAMS TO WIN YOUTH VOTE

People aged 17 to 35 account for more than a third of the electorate. Both Widodo and Prabowo ramped up efforts to appeal to them, deploying everything from holograms, campaign messaging in comic strips, and breakdancing.

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE IN INDONESIA'S MONEY POLITICS

Indonesia has some of the worst money politics in Southeast Asia, according to researchers. Handouts of cash and gifts, anti-graft advocates and politicians say, lead to rampant corruption as successful candidates recoup election expenses, and more, once elected.

Envelopes, usually stuffed with cash ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 rupiah ($1.42 to $7.08), are commonly doled out to voters. Though small amounts, the overall cost can be huge over a six-month campaign.

The going rate for a serious run for one of 560 seats in the national legislature is about 10 billion rupiah, or $708,000, according to the former deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission.

PALM OIL CENTRAL TO ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLEDGES

Both candidates have pledged to achieve energy self-sufficiency by boosting the use of bioenergy, particularly from palm oil. Indonesia opposes a European Union plan to curb the use of palm oil over deforestation concerns.

Indonesians voted in the world's biggest single-day election across the sprawling equatorial archipelago on Wednesday following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

Indonesians voted in the world's biggest single-day election across the sprawling equatorial archipelago on Wednesday following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament. President Joko Widodo, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014. The election has been dominated by economic issues, but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam, with politicians including Widodo taking pains to appear more Islamic. The worry for investors is that the appeal for conservative votes will translate into populist policy. Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings. Some recent surveys have shown Prabowo catching up. The opposition has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved. The election is a huge logistical operation in the world's third-largest democracy with 245,000 candidates vying for votes cast during a mere eight hours. Voters have to cast five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates, some clearly struggling with the process. "The ballots with the photos on it were actually confusing. And the other one had a lot of names I didn’t recognise," said Orlando Yudistira, 19, a first-time voter in Jakarta. Nearly 350,000 police and military personnel, in addition to 1.6 million paramilitary officers, have fanned out across the archipelago of 17,000 islands to safeguard the vote. More than 10,000 people have also volunteered to crowd-source results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and will close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west. Unofficial "quick counts" will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent later today. The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May. THE 'NEW FACE' IN POLITICS, WIDODO SEEKS A SECOND TERM When Widodo was elected five years ago he offered a break from the military and political elite that had clung to power since the fall of strongman ruler Suharto in 1998. Now, Widodo, 57, is running on his own record for a second term. With his easy smile and signature "blusukan", or impromptu walkabouts, he came to power on a wave of support for the clean, can-do image he cultivated as a small-city mayor, and then as governor of the capital, Jakarta. Still, during his political rise, Widodo, a moderate Muslim from the city of Solo in Java island, has had to fend off smear campaigns suggesting he was anti-Islam, a communist or in debt to China. On Sunday, he made a pilgrimage to Islam's holiest site, Mecca in Saudi Arabia. As president, Widodo was saddled with expectations he could fix a host of problems, from human rights abuses to pervasive graft. Jokowi, as he is popularly known, also inherited an economy coming off a commodities boom, and faced an obstructive parliament. He stitched together a majority in parliament and while unable to hit an economic growth target of 7 percent, led a push to build ports, roads and airports. THE CHALLENGER - FORMER SPECIAL FORCES COMMANDER Challenger Prabowo Subianto, 67, has long harboured ambitions for the top job and has cultivated a strongman image and ties with hardline Islamist groups in the hope of boosting his chances. In the last election, in 2014, Prabowo, the head of the Great Indonesia Movement party, came within 6 percentage points of beating Widodo. A former special forces commander, Prabowo comes from an elite political family. His father was one of Indonesia's most prominent economists, serving in the cabinets of both presidents Sukarno and Suharto. The latter was his father-in-law. Prabowo has fired up his rallies with warnings the country is at the mercy of unspecified foreign powers and on the verge of fragmentation. CLAWING BACK VOTER SUPPORT IN MUSLIM HEARTLAND Since taking office, Widodo has made efforts to bring religious parties into his coalition, and to secure the backing of the conservative voters he failed to win over in 2014. His decision to pick Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, 76, as his running mate was part of a strategy to enhance his ticket's appeal among conservatives but it disappointed some of his moderate and progressive supporters, who say the president is pandering to conservatives and fear the erosion of Indonesia's reputation for religious tolerance and pluralism. Widodo's aides say the mobilisation of grassroots support and canvassing of thousands of Islamic schools in conservative provinces is crucial to prevent a repeat of 2014, when the opposition attacks cost him votes. DISGRUNTLED RURAL VOTERS WEIGH OPTIONS Economic growth has hovered at about 5 per cent over Widodo's first term, but there has been a drop in real income for its nearly 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force. Widodo has sought to tame inflation with a cap on prices of staples such as rice and shallots, and to import more food. He remains popular in many rural areas though some farmers are considering the opposition even though Widodo has led an infrastructure drive that has improved access to markets. Prabowo has said some of Widodo's infrastructure projects have failed to help ordinary people. THE FRONTLINE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA ELECTION BATTLE This election has been fought out over social media as never before. So-called buzzer teams have proliferated, named for the buzz they aim to create, to spread propaganda on behalf of both Widodo and Prabowo, sometimes with fake accounts. Under Indonesia's broad internet defamation law, creating and spreading fake news is illegal, but holding social media accounts in false names is not, unless a real person is being impersonated. Both campaign teams deny using buzzers or spreading fake news. Misinformation is rampant on Facebook, which counts Indonesia as its third-largest market globally with an estimated 130 million accounts, as well as on its Instagram and WhatsApp affiliates and rival service Twitter. The companies say they are working with the government and fighting false content. BREAKDANCING, HOLOGRAMS TO WIN YOUTH VOTE People aged 17 to 35 account for more than a third of the electorate. Both Widodo and Prabowo ramped up efforts to appeal to them, deploying everything from holograms, campaign messaging in comic strips, and breakdancing. PUSHING THE ENVELOPE IN INDONESIA'S MONEY POLITICS Indonesia has some of the worst money politics in Southeast Asia, according to researchers. Handouts of cash and gifts, anti-graft advocates and politicians say, lead to rampant corruption as successful candidates recoup election expenses, and more, once elected. Envelopes, usually stuffed with cash ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 rupiah ($1.42 to $7.08), are commonly doled out to voters. Though small amounts, the overall cost can be huge over a six-month campaign. The going rate for a serious run for one of 560 seats in the national legislature is about 10 billion rupiah, or $708,000, according to the former deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission. PALM OIL CENTRAL TO ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLEDGES Both candidates have pledged to achieve energy self-sufficiency by boosting the use of bioenergy, particularly from palm oil. Indonesia opposes a European Union plan to curb the use of palm oil over deforestation concerns.

Indonesia's election: What you need to know

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-vetoes-resolution-calling-to-end-us-support-in-yemen-war-211018">President Trump vetoes resolution calling to end US support in Yemen war</a>

President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-worlds-biggest-one-day-election-indonesia-votes-for-its-president-211029">In world's biggest one-day election, Indonesia votes for its president</a>

Indonesians began voting in the&nbsp;world's biggest single-day election&nbsp;on Wednesday as polling stations opened across the sprawling equatorial archipelago following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-strong-can-talk-about-peace-nobody-listens-to-a-weak-nation-pm-modi-in-odisha-211021">Only strong can talk about peace, nobody listens to a weak nation: PM Modi in Odisha</a>

Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra Modi&nbsp;Tuesday slammed the Congress for being "soft" towards terrorism for 40 years and said India can now talk about peace after it exhibited the strength by destroying terror camps across the border.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bahrain-jails-138-for-planning-iran-linked-terror-group-211019">Bahrain jails 138 for planning Iran-linked 'terror' group</a>

The Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday jailed 138 people and revoked their citizenship for plotting to form a "terror" group with links to&nbsp;Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the public prosecutor said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-737-max-software-upgrade-operationally-suitable-faa-panel-211034">Boeing 737 MAX software upgrade 'operationally suitable': FAA panel</a>

A review by a&nbsp;US&nbsp;Federal Aviation Administration panel into Boeing Co's grounded 737 MAX aircraft found a planned software update and training revisions to be "operationally suitable," the agency said Tuesday, an important milestone in getting the planes back in the air.

President Trump vetoes resolution calling to end US support in Yemen war President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday.

President Trump vetoes resolution calling to end US support in Yemen war President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday. In world's biggest one-day election, Indonesia votes for its president Indonesians began voting in the world's biggest single-day election on Wednesday as polling stations opened across the sprawling equatorial archipelago following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament. Only strong can talk about peace, nobody listens to a weak nation: PM Modi in Odisha Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday slammed the Congress for being "soft" towards terrorism for 40 years and said India can now talk about peace after it exhibited the strength by destroying terror camps across the border. Bahrain jails 138 for planning Iran-linked 'terror' group The Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday jailed 138 people and revoked their citizenship for plotting to form a "terror" group with links to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the public prosecutor said. Boeing 737 MAX software upgrade 'operationally suitable': FAA panel A review by a US Federal Aviation Administration panel into Boeing Co's grounded 737 MAX aircraft found a planned software update and training revisions to be "operationally suitable," the agency said Tuesday, an important milestone in getting the planes back in the air.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Indonesians began voting in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-gravitas-indonesia-prepares-for-april-17th-polls-211011">world's biggest single-day election</a> on Wednesday as polling stations opened across the sprawling equatorial archipelago following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-election-the-people-issues-and-preparations-210870">eight-hour vote across a country</a> that stretches more than 5,000 km (3,000 miles) from its western to eastern tips is both a Herculean logistical feat and testimony to the resilience of democracy two decades after authoritarianism was defeated.

President Joko Widodo, a furniture businessman who entered politics 14 years ago as a small-city mayor, is seeking re-election against former general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in the last election, in 2014.

The economy dominated the hard-fought campaign, though the rise of political Islam loomed over the contest in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead, but the opposition says the race is much closer and Prabowo told a news conference late on Tuesday that he expected to win with 63 per cent of the vote.

Voting began first in the far-flung eastern province of Papua, which is two hours ahead of Jakarta, the capital.

Ballot papers were delivered with security escorts to remote regions of the country by plane, speedboat, canoe and horseback. Two speedboats have been deployed as mobile polling stations for residents on the Thousand Islands chain north of Jakarta.

A tornado in East Java late on Tuesday destroyed two village polling stations and cut power to two others, forcing the authorities to move voting to safer areas, the domestic news agency Antara reported.

More than 10,000 people have volunteered to crowd-source election results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud.

However, the opposition has already alleged voter list irregularities that could affect millions and has vowed legal or "people power" action if its concerns are ignored.

Several videos appeared online last week apparently showing thousands of voting papers stuffed in bags at a warehouse in neighbouring Malaysia, with many apparently already marked.

The country's election supervisory board has recommended a re-vote for Indonesians in Malaysia and in Australia, where several hundred registered voters were still standing in line after the polls closed there on Saturday. A decision will be taken by the elections commission.

"Even though there have been obstacles and anomalies, I believe, at the end of it, we cannot contain the will of the people," Prabowo said on the eve of the vote.

An unexpected win for the challenger could trigger a brief sell-off in financial markets that have priced in a Widodo victory, analysts say.

"Should Prabowo win, this would literally be the end of opinion polling in Indonesia ... and a major, major upset," said Marcus Mietzner, associate professor at Australian National University. "The question is what the margin of victory will be," he said, predicting Widodo's re-election.

A win for Widodo with 52-55 per cent of the vote would be the "sweet spot" said a senior government official close to the president, adding that this would spur him to continue and even accelerate economic reforms.

'GAME OF THRONES'

Poll-related hashtags trended on Twitter in Indonesia during a three-day quiet period in the run-up to voting day.

Social media users compared the presidential race to the HBO series "Game of Thrones" - with one online meme showing Widodo sitting on its coveted Iron Throne.

Widodo touted his record on deregulation and improving infrastructure, calling it a first step to tackling inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

A moderate Muslim from central Java, Widodo had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia. He picked Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, 76, as his running mate.

Prabowo, a former special forces commander who has links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business entrepreneur Sandiaga Uno, say they will boost the economy by slashing taxes and focussing on infrastructure.

QUICK COUNTS

Nearly 350,000 police and soldiers will join 1.6 million paramilitary officers stationed across the country of 17,000 islands to safeguard the vote.

More than 192 million people are eligible to cast ballots in national and regional legislative elections being contested by more than 245,000 candidates.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and will close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west.

Voters will have five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates.

Unofficial "quick counts", based on samples from polling stations, will be released hours after voting ends. The winning presidential candidate could be known by late on Wednesday.

Official results will be announced in May. Any disputes can be taken to the Constitutional Court where a nine-judge panel will have 14 days to rule on them.

 
&nbsp;

Indonesians began voting in the world's biggest single-day election on Wednesday as polling stations opened across the sprawling equatorial archipelago following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

Indonesians began voting in the world's biggest single-day election on Wednesday as polling stations opened across the sprawling equatorial archipelago following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament. The eight-hour vote across a country that stretches more than 5,000 km (3,000 miles) from its western to eastern tips is both a Herculean logistical feat and testimony to the resilience of democracy two decades after authoritarianism was defeated. President Joko Widodo, a furniture businessman who entered politics 14 years ago as a small-city mayor, is seeking re-election against former general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in the last election, in 2014. The economy dominated the hard-fought campaign, though the rise of political Islam loomed over the contest in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead, but the opposition says the race is much closer and Prabowo told a news conference late on Tuesday that he expected to win with 63 per cent of the vote. Voting began first in the far-flung eastern province of Papua, which is two hours ahead of Jakarta, the capital. Ballot papers were delivered with security escorts to remote regions of the country by plane, speedboat, canoe and horseback. Two speedboats have been deployed as mobile polling stations for residents on the Thousand Islands chain north of Jakarta. A tornado in East Java late on Tuesday destroyed two village polling stations and cut power to two others, forcing the authorities to move voting to safer areas, the domestic news agency Antara reported. More than 10,000 people have volunteered to crowd-source election results posted at polling stations in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud. However, the opposition has already alleged voter list irregularities that could affect millions and has vowed legal or "people power" action if its concerns are ignored. Several videos appeared online last week apparently showing thousands of voting papers stuffed in bags at a warehouse in neighbouring Malaysia, with many apparently already marked. The country's election supervisory board has recommended a re-vote for Indonesians in Malaysia and in Australia, where several hundred registered voters were still standing in line after the polls closed there on Saturday. A decision will be taken by the elections commission. "Even though there have been obstacles and anomalies, I believe, at the end of it, we cannot contain the will of the people," Prabowo said on the eve of the vote. An unexpected win for the challenger could trigger a brief sell-off in financial markets that have priced in a Widodo victory, analysts say. "Should Prabowo win, this would literally be the end of opinion polling in Indonesia ... and a major, major upset," said Marcus Mietzner, associate professor at Australian National University. "The question is what the margin of victory will be," he said, predicting Widodo's re-election. A win for Widodo with 52-55 per cent of the vote would be the "sweet spot" said a senior government official close to the president, adding that this would spur him to continue and even accelerate economic reforms. 'GAME OF THRONES' Poll-related hashtags trended on Twitter in Indonesia during a three-day quiet period in the run-up to voting day. Social media users compared the presidential race to the HBO series "Game of Thrones" - with one online meme showing Widodo sitting on its coveted Iron Throne. Widodo touted his record on deregulation and improving infrastructure, calling it a first step to tackling inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. A moderate Muslim from central Java, Widodo had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia. He picked Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, 76, as his running mate. Prabowo, a former special forces commander who has links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business entrepreneur Sandiaga Uno, say they will boost the economy by slashing taxes and focussing on infrastructure. QUICK COUNTS Nearly 350,000 police and soldiers will join 1.6 million paramilitary officers stationed across the country of 17,000 islands to safeguard the vote. More than 192 million people are eligible to cast ballots in national and regional legislative elections being contested by more than 245,000 candidates. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) in the east and will close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) in the west. Voters will have five paper ballots for president, vice president, and national and regional legislative candidates. Unofficial "quick counts", based on samples from polling stations, will be released hours after voting ends. The winning presidential candidate could be known by late on Wednesday. Official results will be announced in May. Any disputes can be taken to the Constitutional Court where a nine-judge panel will have 14 days to rule on them.

In world's biggest one-day election, Indonesia votes for its president

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joko-widodo-leading-in-early-count-in-indonesia-pollsters-211136">Indonesians voted on Wednesday in a one-day election</a> billed as one of the most complex in the world. Our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Indonesian envoy to India Sidharto Suryodipuro on the Indonesian elections, the Indian polls among other things. The envoy said, his country can learn from the Indian experience on the electronic voting machine (EVM) and lauded the democratic process in both the countries.&nbsp;

WION: What can Indians learn from the Indonesian election process and what can Indonesians learn from the Indian elections?

Sidharto Suryodipuro: Learning, it's a two-way street. We need to have a conversation between our election commissions. It will be a good idea to start that. From the Indonesian side, we can learn a lot from our Indian friends about the EVM because behind India's voting machine there is a long history. It's a long process of gaining political consensus for the adoption of the EVMs and the process has not ended. Now you have paper trail added. Indonesia can benefit from the Indian experience on this.

WION: What are the similarities between the Indian and the Indonesian elections?

Suryodipuro: Similarities are in terms of diversity and scale of both the countries. India has a larger population than Indonesia. Indonesia had 810,000 polling booths. My guess is, in every round of elections in India there will be about as many numbers of polling booths. Both have very diverse and complex processes. It shows both our democracies are robust, people have the confidence in democracy and voting process and another thing - our election cycle is the same (previously in 2014 and now), and this helps in strengthening the bilateral relations because it creates stability in relations for the next 5 years.

WION: How big is the process of elections in Indonesia?

Suryodipuro: On April 17, a total of 193 million Indonesians went to the polling booth. They are electing the President and the Vice president. They will be voting for 575 members of the lower house. This is out of candidates of 16 political parties. There will be local voting at the provincial level. So in all, 20,000 seats will be up for votes.

WION: How did Indonesians in India vote?

Suryodipuro: There are 2 million Indonesians living overseas. They are covered by 133 Indonesian missions worldwide. So in India, we have votings in the embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate in Mumbai. In all, we have 198 Indonesian citizens come to the embassy and vote and 91 that voted by mail. We are going through the counting. These are ballot papers and not electronic voting machines, they are being counted manually.

Indonesians voted on Wednesday in a one-day election billed as one of the most complex in the world. Our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Indonesian envoy to India Sidharto Suryodipuro on the Indonesian elections, the Indian polls among other things.

Indonesians voted on Wednesday in a one-day election billed as one of the most complex in the world. Our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal spoke to Indonesian envoy to India Sidharto Suryodipuro on the Indonesian elections, the Indian polls among other things. The envoy said, his country can learn from the Indian experience on the electronic voting machine (EVM) and lauded the democratic process in both the countries. WION: What can Indians learn from the Indonesian election process and what can Indonesians learn from the Indian elections? Sidharto Suryodipuro: Learning, it's a two-way street. We need to have a conversation between our election commissions. It will be a good idea to start that. From the Indonesian side, we can learn a lot from our Indian friends about the EVM because behind India's voting machine there is a long history. It's a long process of gaining political consensus for the adoption of the EVMs and the process has not ended. Now you have paper trail added. Indonesia can benefit from the Indian experience on this. WION: What are the similarities between the Indian and the Indonesian elections? Suryodipuro: Similarities are in terms of diversity and scale of both the countries. India has a larger population than Indonesia. Indonesia had 810,000 polling booths. My guess is, in every round of elections in India there will be about as many numbers of polling booths. Both have very diverse and complex processes. It shows both our democracies are robust, people have the confidence in democracy and voting process and another thing - our election cycle is the same (previously in 2014 and now), and this helps in strengthening the bilateral relations because it creates stability in relations for the next 5 years. WION: How big is the process of elections in Indonesia? Suryodipuro: On April 17, a total of 193 million Indonesians went to the polling booth. They are electing the President and the Vice president. They will be voting for 575 members of the lower house. This is out of candidates of 16 political parties. There will be local voting at the provincial level. So in all, 20,000 seats will be up for votes. WION: How did Indonesians in India vote? Suryodipuro: There are 2 million Indonesians living overseas. They are covered by 133 Indonesian missions worldwide. So in India, we have votings in the embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate in Mumbai. In all, we have 198 Indonesian citizens come to the embassy and vote and 91 that voted by mail. We are going through the counting. These are ballot papers and not electronic voting machines, they are being counted manually.

Can learn a lot from Indian experience on electronic voting machines: Indonesian envoy

An overview of the world's biggest single-day elections. world's third largest democracy Indonesia goes for polls on April 17th.

WION Gravitas: Indonesia prepares for April 17th polls

Tens of millions of Indonesians will vote in presidential and parliamentary <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesians-to-vote-in-worlds-biggest-single-day-election-210259&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjExKrzotHhAhULMo8KHa_HDHYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw36Vtlpp0m2PRPV_wBB8dM6">elections</a> this week after campaigns focused on the economy, but with political Islam looming ever larger in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/indonesia-presidential-election-prabowo-subianto-vs-joko-widodo-209329&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjExKrzotHhAhULMo8KHa_HDHYQFggHMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mpgOl_VBgeV8CYn51Uflk">Joko Widodo</a>, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014.

Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings. It has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved.

Some analysts say an unexpected win for the challenger would probably cause a brief slump in Indonesian markets, while a very close race could elevate the risk of a disputed vote.

"In a scenario in which Widodo wins by an unexpectedly narrow margin, large and prolonged protests in Jakarta would elevate tensions and pressure the currency," Kevin O'Rourke, a political analyst and author of Reformasi Weekly, said in the Indonesia-focused newsletter last week.

While most polls have put the president ahead, they could not be taken for granted, a senior government official said.

"Absolutely everybody is flying blind because we don't know how far the opinion polls can be respected," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Widodo ended his six-month campaign with a mass rally at Jakarta's main stadium at the weekend, where festive crowds overflowed into a surrounding park and streets.

Running ran out on stage in sneakers, to the cheers of the crowd after an hours-long concert by local bands, he struck an optimistic tone for the future of the world's third-largest democracy.

That was a stark contrast to his opponent, who has repeatedly warned Indonesia is on the verge of collapse.

Prabowo, as he is usually known, held a similarly big rally the previous weekend where supporters, many dressed in Islamic robes, held a mass prayer before a fiery speech about how Indonesia was being pillaged by foreigners and the elite.

QUICK COUNTS

Widodo has touted a record infrastructure drive and deregulation as major successes during his tenure, calling it a first step to tackle inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

In a televised weekend debate, Widodo and his running mate, Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, said their opponents, neither of whom has served in public office for more than a few months, did not understand managing macrolevel economics.

Widodo, a moderate Muslim from central Java, has had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia.

Prabowo, who has close links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business tycoon Sandiaga Uno, have pledged to boost the economy by slashing taxes as much as 8 percentage points and focus on key infrastructure projects.

Nearly 500,000 police and military will fan out across the vast archipelago to safeguard the vote. In Jakarta, the capital, officers will guard polling station to deter voter intimidation or clashes, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said.

More than 192 million will also vote in national and regional legislative elections, being contested by more than 245,000 candidates, in what is being described as the world's biggest single-day election.

Overseas voting is already underway, with thousands lining up outside Indonesian missions in Singapore and Australia.

On Wednesday (April 17), polling stations will open at 7 am&nbsp;(2200 GMT Tuesday) in eastern Indonesia and close at 1 pm (0600 GMT) on the western side of the country.

Voters will manually punch five separate paper ballots for president and vice president, and legislative candidates.

Unofficial "quick counts", based on vote samples from polling stations, will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent by late Wednesday.

The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May.

Candidates have 72 hours after the official result to complain to the Constitutional Court. A nine-judge panel has 14 days to reach a decision, which cannot be appealed.&nbsp;

Tens of millions of Indonesians will vote in presidential and parliamentary elections this week after campaigns focused on the economy, but with political Islam looming ever larger in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

Tens of millions of Indonesians will vote in presidential and parliamentary elections this week after campaigns focused on the economy, but with political Islam looming ever larger in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. President Joko Widodo, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014. Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings. It has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved. Some analysts say an unexpected win for the challenger would probably cause a brief slump in Indonesian markets, while a very close race could elevate the risk of a disputed vote. "In a scenario in which Widodo wins by an unexpectedly narrow margin, large and prolonged protests in Jakarta would elevate tensions and pressure the currency," Kevin O'Rourke, a political analyst and author of Reformasi Weekly, said in the Indonesia-focused newsletter last week. While most polls have put the president ahead, they could not be taken for granted, a senior government official said. "Absolutely everybody is flying blind because we don't know how far the opinion polls can be respected," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Widodo ended his six-month campaign with a mass rally at Jakarta's main stadium at the weekend, where festive crowds overflowed into a surrounding park and streets. Running ran out on stage in sneakers, to the cheers of the crowd after an hours-long concert by local bands, he struck an optimistic tone for the future of the world's third-largest democracy. That was a stark contrast to his opponent, who has repeatedly warned Indonesia is on the verge of collapse. Prabowo, as he is usually known, held a similarly big rally the previous weekend where supporters, many dressed in Islamic robes, held a mass prayer before a fiery speech about how Indonesia was being pillaged by foreigners and the elite. QUICK COUNTS Widodo has touted a record infrastructure drive and deregulation as major successes during his tenure, calling it a first step to tackle inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. In a televised weekend debate, Widodo and his running mate, Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, said their opponents, neither of whom has served in public office for more than a few months, did not understand managing macrolevel economics. Widodo, a moderate Muslim from central Java, has had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia. Prabowo, who has close links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business tycoon Sandiaga Uno, have pledged to boost the economy by slashing taxes as much as 8 percentage points and focus on key infrastructure projects. Nearly 500,000 police and military will fan out across the vast archipelago to safeguard the vote. In Jakarta, the capital, officers will guard polling station to deter voter intimidation or clashes, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said. More than 192 million will also vote in national and regional legislative elections, being contested by more than 245,000 candidates, in what is being described as the world's biggest single-day election. Overseas voting is already underway, with thousands lining up outside Indonesian missions in Singapore and Australia. On Wednesday (April 17), polling stations will open at 7 am (2200 GMT Tuesday) in eastern Indonesia and close at 1 pm (0600 GMT) on the western side of the country. Voters will manually punch five separate paper ballots for president and vice president, and legislative candidates. Unofficial "quick counts", based on vote samples from polling stations, will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent by late Wednesday. The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May. Candidates have 72 hours after the official result to complain to the Constitutional Court. A nine-judge panel has 14 days to reach a decision, which cannot be appealed.

192 million voters, 245, 000 candidates: Indonesia to vote in world's biggest single-day election on April 17

Concerts and mass prayers bring lengthy election campaign to close in Indonesia

Two months ago, Indonesian farmer Tama harvested several tonnes of shallots from a small plot of land he had rented in the village of Grinting in central Java.

In several ways, Tama had President Joko Widodo to thank for his crop.

The Village Fund programme, launched by Widodo, paid to turn a dirt track between his house and the farm into a paved road. It also brought more electricity, powering lights that trap moths at night, cutting his spending on pesticides.

Tama's shallots were transported to the capital, Jakarta, 250 kilometres to the west, on a new toll road that was part of an infrastructure drive the president led.

But Widodo has also sought to control retail prices, leading to more food imports and a cap on the market price of staples such as rice and shallots, making it hard for farmers to sell at a profit.

So as Widodo seeks a second five-year term in this week's election, some farmers across the highly populated island of Java wonder whether he should get their vote.

Tama, 42, did not earn enough in February to repay a loan due on harvest day because shallot prices were so low.

"I go to my friends to borrow money, or work on anything I can find," said Tama, who - like many Indonesians - has only one name.

Although Widodo, more commonly known as Jokowi, is heading into the election with a comfortable polling lead over his challenger, retired general Prabowo Subianto, his opponents have seized on his agriculture policy to claim that some of the infrastructure projects don't help ordinary people.

Indonesia's economic growth has hovered at about 5 per cent over Widodo's first term, but there has been a drop in real income for the country's nearly 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force.

"The government has chosen populist policies and they led to farmers' not getting full attention," said Josua Pardede, an economist at Jakarta-based Bank Permata.

Widodo's campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Sriyanto Saputro, a spokesman for Prabowo's campaign in Central Java, said internal surveys suggested he was leading in Brebes.

A road called 'Brexit'

Widodo's policies have calmed inflation, which is now about 2.5 per cent - its lowest in a decade - compared with about 8 per cent when he took office. That has underpinned steady growth in household spending, which represents more than half of Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Widodo's infrastructure ambitions have also helped reduce logistical costs that in 2013 were estimated by the World Bank at 24 per cent of GDP, among the highest in the region. Indonesia ranked 46th out of 160 countries on the bank's Logistics Performance Index last year, compared with 63rd in 2016.

Widodo's infrastructure push quickened before the election.

Late last year, he inaugurated the final section of a 944-km (587-mile) road linking the west and east coasts of Java, which includes the section between Jakarta and the shallot-producing Brebes area where Grinting village is.

That section made headlines in international media in 2016 when a three-day holiday traffic jam at one of its gates, Brebes Exit - which locals abbreviate to 'Brexit' - coincided with Britain's referendum to leave the European Union.

Before the Brexit Road was built, it would take truck drivers about eight hours to transport shallots from farm to market in Jakarta, negotiating potholes, regular flooding of the highway and flag-downs by people demanding random charges. Today, the same journey takes about four hours.

"We're grateful for all the infrastructure, but it's the price regulations that need fixing," said farmer Nanang Kusmari Gunawan, 31, complaining that shallot prices were low through most of last year.

Widodo's trade ministry capped retail prices for shallots at 32,000 rupiah ($2.26) per kilogramme in 2018 and suggested a reference farm-gate price of 15,000 rupiah per kg, but Gunawan said this was not enforced and farmers had to sell at 10,000 rupiah.

Some farmers in Central Java, traditionally a stronghold for Widodo's party, are so irked by the government's policies that they will vote for the opposition next week.

"A farmer's biggest enemy is imports," said Suwarno, 34, as he took a cigarette break next to his rows of shallots, adding that he believes Prabowo will stop food imports.

Prabowo was long the chairman of the Indonesian Farmers' Association, which advocate for farmers' rights, and is now promising to industrialise the industry if he becomes president.

Still, the Brebes vote may still largely belong to Widodo: a poll by Alvara Research Center, conducted in early April and published on Friday, suggested he was likely to get 66.5 per cent of votes in central and east Java, and Prabowo only 18.8 per cent.

Tama, despite his shallot struggles, still favours Widodo.

"I chose Jokowi last time. I don't think I will change," Tama said. "His programmes are extraordinary."

Two months ago, Indonesian farmer Tama harvested several tonnes of shallots from a small plot of land he had rented in the village of Grinting in central Java. In several ways, Tama had President Joko Widodo to thank for his crop.

Two months ago, Indonesian farmer Tama harvested several tonnes of shallots from a small plot of land he had rented in the village of Grinting in central Java. In several ways, Tama had President Joko Widodo to thank for his crop. The Village Fund programme, launched by Widodo, paid to turn a dirt track between his house and the farm into a paved road. It also brought more electricity, powering lights that trap moths at night, cutting his spending on pesticides. Tama's shallots were transported to the capital, Jakarta, 250 kilometres to the west, on a new toll road that was part of an infrastructure drive the president led. But Widodo has also sought to control retail prices, leading to more food imports and a cap on the market price of staples such as rice and shallots, making it hard for farmers to sell at a profit. So as Widodo seeks a second five-year term in this week's election, some farmers across the highly populated island of Java wonder whether he should get their vote. Tama, 42, did not earn enough in February to repay a loan due on harvest day because shallot prices were so low. "I go to my friends to borrow money, or work on anything I can find," said Tama, who - like many Indonesians - has only one name. Although Widodo, more commonly known as Jokowi, is heading into the election with a comfortable polling lead over his challenger, retired general Prabowo Subianto, his opponents have seized on his agriculture policy to claim that some of the infrastructure projects don't help ordinary people. Indonesia's economic growth has hovered at about 5 per cent over Widodo's first term, but there has been a drop in real income for the country's nearly 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force. "The government has chosen populist policies and they led to farmers' not getting full attention," said Josua Pardede, an economist at Jakarta-based Bank Permata. Widodo's campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Sriyanto Saputro, a spokesman for Prabowo's campaign in Central Java, said internal surveys suggested he was leading in Brebes. A road called 'Brexit' Widodo's policies have calmed inflation, which is now about 2.5 per cent - its lowest in a decade - compared with about 8 per cent when he took office. That has underpinned steady growth in household spending, which represents more than half of Southeast Asia's largest economy. Widodo's infrastructure ambitions have also helped reduce logistical costs that in 2013 were estimated by the World Bank at 24 per cent of GDP, among the highest in the region. Indonesia ranked 46th out of 160 countries on the bank's Logistics Performance Index last year, compared with 63rd in 2016. Widodo's infrastructure push quickened before the election. Late last year, he inaugurated the final section of a 944-km (587-mile) road linking the west and east coasts of Java, which includes the section between Jakarta and the shallot-producing Brebes area where Grinting village is. That section made headlines in international media in 2016 when a three-day holiday traffic jam at one of its gates, Brebes Exit - which locals abbreviate to 'Brexit' - coincided with Britain's referendum to leave the European Union. Before the Brexit Road was built, it would take truck drivers about eight hours to transport shallots from farm to market in Jakarta, negotiating potholes, regular flooding of the highway and flag-downs by people demanding random charges. Today, the same journey takes about four hours. "We're grateful for all the infrastructure, but it's the price regulations that need fixing," said farmer Nanang Kusmari Gunawan, 31, complaining that shallot prices were low through most of last year. Widodo's trade ministry capped retail prices for shallots at 32,000 rupiah ($2.26) per kilogramme in 2018 and suggested a reference farm-gate price of 15,000 rupiah per kg, but Gunawan said this was not enforced and farmers had to sell at 10,000 rupiah. Some farmers in Central Java, traditionally a stronghold for Widodo's party, are so irked by the government's policies that they will vote for the opposition next week. "A farmer's biggest enemy is imports," said Suwarno, 34, as he took a cigarette break next to his rows of shallots, adding that he believes Prabowo will stop food imports. Prabowo was long the chairman of the Indonesian Farmers' Association, which advocate for farmers' rights, and is now promising to industrialise the industry if he becomes president. Still, the Brebes vote may still largely belong to Widodo: a poll by Alvara Research Center, conducted in early April and published on Friday, suggested he was likely to get 66.5 per cent of votes in central and east Java, and Prabowo only 18.8 per cent. Tama, despite his shallot struggles, still favours Widodo. "I chose Jokowi last time. I don't think I will change," Tama said. "His programmes are extraordinary."

As Indonesia's Widodo seeks a second term, rural voters have some doubts

Tens of millions of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-campaign-rallies-draw-tens-of-thousands-210159&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwij5Imgk8_hAhVh4HMBHUKUB10QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1uQ_y0n5O9Yqt1Hivhc4jE">Indonesians</a> will vote in presidential and parliamentary elections this week after campaigns focused on the economy, but with political Islam looming ever larger in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

President Joko Widodo, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014.

Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings.

It has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved.

Some analysts say an unexpected win for the challenger would probably cause a brief slump in Indonesian markets, while a very close race could elevate the risk of a disputed vote.&nbsp;

"In a scenario in which Widodo wins by an unexpectedly narrow margin, large and prolonged protests in Jakarta would elevate tensions and pressure the currency," said Kevin O'Rourke in the Reformasi Weekly note on Indonesia published last week.

While most polls have put the president ahead, they could not be taken for granted, a senior government official said. "Absolutely everybody is flying blind because we don't know how far the opinion polls can be respected," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Widodo ended his six-month campaign with a mass rally at Jakarta's main stadium at the weekend, where festive crowds overflowed into a surrounding park and streets.

Running ran out on stage in sneakers, to the cheers of the crowd after an hours-long concert by local bands, he struck an optimistic tone for the future of the world's third-largest democracy.

That was a stark contrast to his opponent, who has repeatedly warned Indonesia is on the verge of collapse.

Prabowo, as he is usually known, held a similarly big rally the previous weekend where supporters, many dressed in Islamic robes, held a mass prayer before a fiery speech about how Indonesia was being pillaged by foreigners and the elite.

QUICK COUNTS Widodo has touted a record infrastructure drive and deregulation as major successes during his tenure, calling it a first step to tackle inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

In a televised weekend debate, Widodo and his running mate, Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, said their opponents, neither of whom has served in public office for more than a few months, did not understand managing macrolevel economics.

Widodo, a moderate Muslim from central Java, has had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia.

Prabowo, who has close links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business tycoon Sandiaga Uno, have pledged to boost the economy by slashing taxes as much as 8 percentage points and focus on key infrastructure projects.

Nearly 500,000 police and military will fan out across the vast archipelago to safeguard the vote.

In Jakarta, the capital, officers will guard polling station to deter voter intimidation or clashes, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said.

More than 192 million will also vote in national and regional legislative elections, being contested by more than 245,000 candidates, in what is being described as the world's biggest single-day election.

Overseas voting is already underway, with thousands lining up outside Indonesian missions in Singapore and Australia.

On Wednesday, polling stations will open at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT Tuesday) in eastern Indonesia and close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) on the western side of the country.

Voters will manually punch five separate paper ballots for president and vice president, and legislative candidates.

Unofficial "quick counts", based on vote samples from polling stations, will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent by late Wednesday.

The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May.

Candidates have 72 hours after the official result to complain to the Constitutional Court. A nine-judge panel has 14 days to reach a decision, which cannot be appealed.

Tens of millions of Indonesians will vote in presidential and parliamentary elections this week after campaigns focused on the economy, but with political Islam looming ever larger in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. President Joko Widodo, a former furniture salesman who launched his political career as a small-city mayor, is standing for re-election in a contest with ex-general Prabowo Subianto, whom he narrowly defeated in 2014. Most opinion polls give Widodo a double-digit lead but the opposition has disputed survey findings. It has also said it has uncovered data irregularities affecting millions on the electoral rolls and has vowed to take legal action or use "people power" if its complaints are not resolved. Some analysts say an unexpected win for the challenger would probably cause a brief slump in Indonesian markets, while a very close race could elevate the risk of a disputed vote. "In a scenario in which Widodo wins by an unexpectedly narrow margin, large and prolonged protests in Jakarta would elevate tensions and pressure the currency," said Kevin O'Rourke in the Reformasi Weekly note on Indonesia published last week. While most polls have put the president ahead, they could not be taken for granted, a senior government official said. "Absolutely everybody is flying blind because we don't know how far the opinion polls can be respected," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Widodo ended his six-month campaign with a mass rally at Jakarta's main stadium at the weekend, where festive crowds overflowed into a surrounding park and streets. Running ran out on stage in sneakers, to the cheers of the crowd after an hours-long concert by local bands, he struck an optimistic tone for the future of the world's third-largest democracy. That was a stark contrast to his opponent, who has repeatedly warned Indonesia is on the verge of collapse. Prabowo, as he is usually known, held a similarly big rally the previous weekend where supporters, many dressed in Islamic robes, held a mass prayer before a fiery speech about how Indonesia was being pillaged by foreigners and the elite. QUICK COUNTS Widodo has touted a record infrastructure drive and deregulation as major successes during his tenure, calling it a first step to tackle inequality and poverty in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. In a televised weekend debate, Widodo and his running mate, Islamic cleric Ma'ruf Amin, said their opponents, neither of whom has served in public office for more than a few months, did not understand managing macrolevel economics. Widodo, a moderate Muslim from central Java, has had to burnish his Islamic credentials after smear campaigns and hoax stories accused him of being anti-Islam, a communist or too close to China, all politically damaging in Indonesia. Prabowo, who has close links to some hardline Islamist groups, and his running mate, business tycoon Sandiaga Uno, have pledged to boost the economy by slashing taxes as much as 8 percentage points and focus on key infrastructure projects. Nearly 500,000 police and military will fan out across the vast archipelago to safeguard the vote. In Jakarta, the capital, officers will guard polling station to deter voter intimidation or clashes, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said. More than 192 million will also vote in national and regional legislative elections, being contested by more than 245,000 candidates, in what is being described as the world's biggest single-day election. Overseas voting is already underway, with thousands lining up outside Indonesian missions in Singapore and Australia. On Wednesday, polling stations will open at 7 a.m. (2200 GMT Tuesday) in eastern Indonesia and close at 1 p.m. (0600 GMT) on the western side of the country. Voters will manually punch five separate paper ballots for president and vice president, and legislative candidates. Unofficial "quick counts", based on vote samples from polling stations, will be released hours after polling ends and the winning presidential candidate is expected to be apparent by late Wednesday. The General Election Commission is expected to announce an official result in May. Candidates have 72 hours after the official result to complain to the Constitutional Court. A nine-judge panel has 14 days to reach a decision, which cannot be appealed.

Indonesians to vote in world's biggest single-day election

About 100,000 people filled Jakarta's main stadium Saturday for a huge rally in support of Indonesian president Joko Widodo, just days ahead of the biggest-ever elections in the world's number-three democracy.

Widodo is leading presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, a former general, by double-digits in most opinion polls going into Wednesday's poll.&nbsp;

The two men held their final televised debate Saturday evening.

Earlier, the capital's already congested streets were jammed with colourful parades and peaceful demonstrations, bringing traffic to a standstill.

At the main stadium, Widodo supporters waved Indonesia's red-and-white flag as they sang and danced to performances by dozens of musicians.

The crowd cheered as the 57-year-old incumbent, popularly known as Jokowi, pledged his commitment to pluralism in the Muslim-majority country of more than 260 million.

"Our country is a big nation of different ethnicities, religions, traditions and cultures," he said.

Subianto held his last rally on Friday, which attracted tens of thousands.

His vice-presidential running-mate Sandiaga Uno, a wealthy financier reported to have spent $100 million on his campaign, held a big rally Saturday in Tangerang near Jakarta.

"God willing, with Prabowo and Sandi we will create a fair and prosperous Indonesia," Uno told the crowd.

Subianto's team has warned it would challenge the results over voter-list irregularities if he lost -- setting up a repeat of the pair's 2014 contest, which Widodo won despite an unsuccessful court challenge to his narrow victory.

Widodo campaigned on his infrastructure-driven bid to rev up Southeast Asia's largest economy, while Subianto pledged more defence spending and a review of foreign investment in the sprawling archipelago.

Food vendor Ali Suhardi, 55, said he would vote for the heavy metal music-loving Widodo, but across the city, Romlah was itching for a new leader.

"I want change that will make this country better," said the Subianto supporter, who goes by one name.

More than 190 million Indonesians will choose their next president, parliamentarians and thousands of local officials on April 17.

There are a record 245,000 candidates competing with some 800,000 polling stations across the country.

About 100,000 people filled Jakarta's main stadium Saturday for a huge rally in support of Indonesian president Joko Widodo, just days ahead of the biggest-ever elections in the world's number-three democracy.

About 100,000 people filled Jakarta's main stadium Saturday for a huge rally in support of Indonesian president Joko Widodo, just days ahead of the biggest-ever elections in the world's number-three democracy. Widodo is leading presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, a former general, by double-digits in most opinion polls going into Wednesday's poll. The two men held their final televised debate Saturday evening. Earlier, the capital's already congested streets were jammed with colourful parades and peaceful demonstrations, bringing traffic to a standstill. At the main stadium, Widodo supporters waved Indonesia's red-and-white flag as they sang and danced to performances by dozens of musicians. The crowd cheered as the 57-year-old incumbent, popularly known as Jokowi, pledged his commitment to pluralism in the Muslim-majority country of more than 260 million. "Our country is a big nation of different ethnicities, religions, traditions and cultures," he said. Subianto held his last rally on Friday, which attracted tens of thousands. His vice-presidential running-mate Sandiaga Uno, a wealthy financier reported to have spent $100 million on his campaign, held a big rally Saturday in Tangerang near Jakarta. "God willing, with Prabowo and Sandi we will create a fair and prosperous Indonesia," Uno told the crowd. Subianto's team has warned it would challenge the results over voter-list irregularities if he lost -- setting up a repeat of the pair's 2014 contest, which Widodo won despite an unsuccessful court challenge to his narrow victory. Widodo campaigned on his infrastructure-driven bid to rev up Southeast Asia's largest economy, while Subianto pledged more defence spending and a review of foreign investment in the sprawling archipelago. Food vendor Ali Suhardi, 55, said he would vote for the heavy metal music-loving Widodo, but across the city, Romlah was itching for a new leader. "I want change that will make this country better," said the Subianto supporter, who goes by one name. More than 190 million Indonesians will choose their next president, parliamentarians and thousands of local officials on April 17. There are a record 245,000 candidates competing with some 800,000 polling stations across the country.

Indonesia campaign rallies draw tens of thousands

Life Size Hologram Of Indonesian President Joko Widodo Addresses Crowds In The Country As Widodo Takes A Leaf Out Of Indian PM Modi's Book. India's Prime Minister inspires Indonesia's President. Joko Widodo takes a leaf out of Modi's book, uses 3D technology to address voters, something that Modi did in 2014. Here's a report

Gravitas: Indian PM Modi inspires Indonesian President Joko Widodo

Some panicked residents of a quake-hit Indonesian island have refused to return home after the tremor triggered a brief<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quake-of-magnitude-7-strikes-indonesias-island-of-sulawesi-us-geological-survey-209845"> tsunami</a> warning and fears there was more to come, the disaster agency said Saturday.

Aftershocks rippled across the east coast of<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-54-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-sulawesi-island-205182&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj0msrry8zhAhUIso8KHYEEDEEQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3IEXGSAtfoh6t8qIqz2iF9"> Sulawesi</a> -- an island where thousands were killed in a quake-tsunami last year -- as officials scrambled to assess whether there are any casualties or major damage.

While one resident of quake-hit Luwuk city reportedly died after falling while trying to flee, the agency has not reported any confirmed deaths or injuries.&nbsp;

An AFP reporter in the city said there were no signs of major property damage.

"The situation is returning to normal," the disaster agency said early Saturday morning.

Some 1,300 families have returned home, it said, adding that some residents of another small island near the epicentre of Friday's 6.8 magnitude quake were still refusing to return from higher ground.

It did not say how many residents had refused to leave the high ground.

Luwuk resident Emiliana Rumayer said she and her family slept in the hills overnight "but we've now returned home".

Mohammad Sholeh, police chief of Poso city on Sulawesi, said the quake's impact there had been minor.

"There's a little bit of damage, but nothing significant and there are no casualties," he said.

On Friday, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal communities in Morowali district, where residents were advised to move away from the coast.

The warning was later lifted by the disaster agency, which had estimated the wave at under a half a metre (20 inches).

Video footage from Luwuk showed scared residents -- some carrying children -- running from their homes and racing to higher ground on motorcycles.

The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 17 kilometres (10 miles) off Sulawesi, where a 7.5-magnitude quake-tsunami around the city of Palu killed more than 4,300 people last year.

Residents of Palu, which is hundreds of kilometres away from Friday's epicentre, still felt the quake.

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide.

On Boxing Day 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck westernmost Aceh province, causing a tsunami and killing more than 170,000 in Indonesia.

Last year Indonesia experienced more than 2,500 disasters ranging from a series of deadly earthquakes to killer landslides and volcanic eruptions.

Some panicked residents of a quake-hit Indonesian island have refused to return home after the tremor triggered a brief tsunami warning and fears there was more to come, the disaster agency said Saturday.

Some panicked residents of a quake-hit Indonesian island have refused to return home after the tremor triggered a brief tsunami warning and fears there was more to come, the disaster agency said Saturday. Aftershocks rippled across the east coast of Sulawesi -- an island where thousands were killed in a quake-tsunami last year -- as officials scrambled to assess whether there are any casualties or major damage. While one resident of quake-hit Luwuk city reportedly died after falling while trying to flee, the agency has not reported any confirmed deaths or injuries. An AFP reporter in the city said there were no signs of major property damage. "The situation is returning to normal," the disaster agency said early Saturday morning. Some 1,300 families have returned home, it said, adding that some residents of another small island near the epicentre of Friday's 6.8 magnitude quake were still refusing to return from higher ground. It did not say how many residents had refused to leave the high ground. Luwuk resident Emiliana Rumayer said she and her family slept in the hills overnight "but we've now returned home". Mohammad Sholeh, police chief of Poso city on Sulawesi, said the quake's impact there had been minor. "There's a little bit of damage, but nothing significant and there are no casualties," he said. On Friday, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal communities in Morowali district, where residents were advised to move away from the coast. The warning was later lifted by the disaster agency, which had estimated the wave at under a half a metre (20 inches). Video footage from Luwuk showed scared residents -- some carrying children -- running from their homes and racing to higher ground on motorcycles. The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 17 kilometres (10 miles) off Sulawesi, where a 7.5-magnitude quake-tsunami around the city of Palu killed more than 4,300 people last year. Residents of Palu, which is hundreds of kilometres away from Friday's epicentre, still felt the quake. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. On Boxing Day 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck westernmost Aceh province, causing a tsunami and killing more than 170,000 in Indonesia. Last year Indonesia experienced more than 2,500 disasters ranging from a series of deadly earthquakes to killer landslides and volcanic eruptions.

Quake-hit Indonesians refuse to leave high ground: official

A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked eastern Indonesia Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, triggering a tsunami warning and sending panicked residents fleeing from their homes.

The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 17 kilometres (10 miles) off the east coast of Sulawesi island, the USGS said, where a 7.5-magnitude quake-tsunami around the city of Palu killed more than 4,300 people last year.

Indonesia's geophysics agency issued a tsunami warning for coastal communities in Morowali district, but there were not immediate reports of casualties or damage.

But the USGS warned that considerable damage was possible in poorly built or badly designed structures.

The quake hit off the coast of eastern Sulawesi, on the other side of the island from disaster-hit Palu, where residents still felt the tremor despite being hundreds of kilometres away.

"I ran straight outside after the earthquake -- everything was swaying," 29-year-old Palu resident Mahfuzah told AFP.

Thousands in Palu were living in makeshift shelters six months after the late September disaster with at least 170,000 residents of the city and surrounding districts displaced and entire neighbourhoods still in ruins, despite life returning to normal in other areas of the tsunami-struck city.

The force of the quake saw entire neighbourhoods levelled by liquefaction -- a process where the ground starts behaving like a liquid and swallows up the earth like quicksand.

Apart from the damage to tens of thousands of buildings, the disaster destroyed fishing boats, shops and irrigation systems, robbing residents of their income.

Indonesia has said the damage bill in Palu topped $900 million. The World Bank has offered the country up to $1 billion in loans to get the city back on its feet.

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide.

Last year was a particularly tough one, however, with more than 2,500 disasters ranging from a series of deadly earthquakes to killer landslides and volcanic eruptions.

The sprawling archipelago is dotted with more than 100 volcanoes, including one in the middle of the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands that erupted in late 2018 and unleashed a tsunami that killed more than 400 people. 
&nbsp;

A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked eastern Indonesia Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, triggering a tsunami warning and sending panicked residents fleeing from their homes.

A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked eastern Indonesia Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, triggering a tsunami warning and sending panicked residents fleeing from their homes. The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 17 kilometres (10 miles) off the east coast of Sulawesi island, the USGS said, where a 7.5-magnitude quake-tsunami around the city of Palu killed more than 4,300 people last year. Indonesia's geophysics agency issued a tsunami warning for coastal communities in Morowali district, but there were not immediate reports of casualties or damage. But the USGS warned that considerable damage was possible in poorly built or badly designed structures. The quake hit off the coast of eastern Sulawesi, on the other side of the island from disaster-hit Palu, where residents still felt the tremor despite being hundreds of kilometres away. "I ran straight outside after the earthquake -- everything was swaying," 29-year-old Palu resident Mahfuzah told AFP. Thousands in Palu were living in makeshift shelters six months after the late September disaster with at least 170,000 residents of the city and surrounding districts displaced and entire neighbourhoods still in ruins, despite life returning to normal in other areas of the tsunami-struck city. The force of the quake saw entire neighbourhoods levelled by liquefaction -- a process where the ground starts behaving like a liquid and swallows up the earth like quicksand. Apart from the damage to tens of thousands of buildings, the disaster destroyed fishing boats, shops and irrigation systems, robbing residents of their income. Indonesia has said the damage bill in Palu topped $900 million. The World Bank has offered the country up to $1 billion in loans to get the city back on its feet. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. Last year was a particularly tough one, however, with more than 2,500 disasters ranging from a series of deadly earthquakes to killer landslides and volcanic eruptions. The sprawling archipelago is dotted with more than 100 volcanoes, including one in the middle of the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands that erupted in late 2018 and unleashed a tsunami that killed more than 400 people.

Strong 6.8 quake hits off eastern Indonesia, tsunami warning issued: US Geological Survey

indonesia

Indonesia, News on Indonesia, stories on Indonesia, articles on Indonesia, Indonesia stories at Wion, Indonesia news, Indonesia latest news