Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo wants governor, defence minister to be paired

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo wants Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto to be paired in the country s presidential election next February, Mr Budi Arie Setiadi, head of the supporter group Pro Jokowi Projo told CNA on Friday that Mr Widodo had revealed this to him several times.

He has always wanted this from the beginning, about three or four months ago, said Setiadi, a deputy minister of villages, disadvantaged regions and transmigration in Widodo's cabinet.

He last told me this on May 14, during our event when we met at the holding room, referring to Projo's gathering in Jakarta that Mr Widodo attended.

Setiadi claimed that Jokowi - as the president is widely known - is trying to pair up Mr Pranowo with Mr Subianto for next year's election.

Why would they be a solid pairing and have strong leadership?

If Prabowo-Ganjar or Ganjar-Prabowo become a pair, then no other pair of presidential and vice-presidential candidates can beat them. Mr Setiadi said they would be very strong.

He claimed that there have been signs of Mr Jokowi's intentions to pair the two, such as when the president, Mr Subianto and Mr Pranowo visited a paddy field together in Central Java in March.

It is not easy to pair the two politicians as it is uncertain as to whom will run as president and who will become the vice-presidential candidate.