JAKARTA — From T-shirts and caps to flags and posters, the intense campaigning for the Indonesian presidential election on July 9 has been a boon to businesses hawking merchandise of the two candidates, Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and his rival former general Prabowo Subianto.

As the tight electoral race heats up with less than two weeks to go before Indonesians head to the polls, shopkeepers say business has been brisk.

Supporters of the candidates have snapped up the various merchandise as a way to declare their support for their favourite candidate and to promote their choice among friends and family.

Many are also proudly displaying “selfies” (self-portraits) of themselves with the campaign merchandise of their choice for president on social media such as Facebook.

At the Pasar Senen market in central Jakarta, screen-printed shirts bearing images of the candidates ranged from Rp10,000 to Rp70,000 (S$7.25) depending on the design and quality.

One shopkeeper said shirts with Mr Prabowo’s image were the most popular items among customers. Each shirt sells for Rp30,000. Also on sale are caps, pins and brooches.

Many shops encourage buying in bulk, with a Rp20,000 shirt priced at Rp18,000 when bought in sets of 100 pieces.

Along with the campaign shirts, which are a common sight at rallies, rows of banners and posters line the streets of cities across the archipelago.

Mr Mirza Andrian, 36, the owner of printing firm Juragan Digital, said his company had received orders for posters and banners from both candidates. But competition is fierce among companies hoping to cash in on such election-related projects, he said. “Competition is tough, because the entry barrier is low in this business.”

Ms Irine Gayatri, a science researcher in her 40s, has proudly displayed her selfie wearing a white T-shirt with red embroideries depicting Mr Widodo and his running-mate Jusuf Kalla with the slogan “Indonesia Hebat” (Great Indonesia).

“I bought it directly at the secretariat of (volunteer group) Seknas Jokowi in South Jakarta. I bought this shirt and another one, Jokowi’s trademark plaid shirt,” she said.

Others, such as housewife Kitty Sandyakala, who also posted a selfie with two different T-shirts of Mr rabowo and his running-mate Hatta Rajasa, said she received them from her aunt who worked on the campaign team.

The shirts and other merchandise are also available in a number of online shops, including www.tokogerindra.com and jualkaosjokowi.com.