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Strong support for Jokowi in hometown of Solo

SOLO — In this epicentre of Javanese identity and tradition, support for presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is so strong that it was difficult for TODAY to find a supporter of his opponent Prabowo Subianto.

SOLO — In this epicentre of Javanese identity and tradition, support for presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is so strong that it was difficult for TODAY to find a supporter of his opponent Prabowo Subianto.

Many residents of this city of 520,000 people are rooting for Mr Widodo, 53, as this was where he had cut his political teeth as Mayor from July 2005 to October 2012 before becoming Jakarta Governor and now the front-runner in today’s presidential election.

Solo Mayor Hadi Rudyatmo is confident his predecessor will win 80 to 90 per cent of the vote here and about 62 per cent nationwide.

Mr Hadi had introduced the furniture entrepreneur to politics and later served as his deputy in Solo. “He has a moderate character and is honest,” Mr Hadi said, echoing what many voters have said account for Mr Widodo’s popularity.

“We’re definitely supporting him. We’ve felt his work here, when he was in public office,” added voter Ms Isworo Abikarti, 36.

Service staff in the city recalled how Mr Widodo had cleaned up the streets and increased tourism through cultural activities.

Mr Prabowo’s spokesperson in the city, Dr Muhammad Taufiq, acknowledged the challenge in winning votes in Mr Widodo’s stronghold. However, he hoped Mr Prabowo could win 40 per cent of the vote in Solo.

Mr Widodo’s family declined to be interviewed but, on Sunday, his mother, Madam Sudjiatmi Noto-Mihardjo, told Channel NewsAsia the family hoped Mr Widodo would not change should he win the electoral race. “I imbued in him the values of honesty and sincerity. Honest people everywhere are at peace with their lives and are not restless,” she said.

Mr Hadi also had advice for his close friend. “A leader is a servant, not a ruler, and, more importantly, he must listen with his ears, see with his eyes and do with his heart.”

Yesterday, Mr Widodo returned to Jakarta after a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. His family and friends held prayers at Madam Sudjiatmi’s home for blessings that he would be the next President.

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