With days to go before the February 14 polls, a clear win for the ruling party’s presidential pick appears all but impossible.

Controversy around his remarks also reflected widening rift in Widodo’s cabinet, with speculation that some of his ministers are considering resigning over the president’s election meddling.

Popular rock band Slank’s high-profile snub to President Joko Widodo marks a departure from its staunch support over the past decade.

From Indonesia to India, the world’s most populous democracies will be heading to the polls in Asia this year, a region which has traditionally been the largest gold consumer.

Khofifah Indar Parawansa, governor of East Java, is once again seen as instrumental to a presidential victory – just as she was to Joko Widodo ’s second term.

While Prabowo tops opinion polls, his stagnating numbers and a potential alliance between his rivals could deny him an outright victory despite Widodo’s ‘partiality’.

Under the proposed alliance, Ganjar or Baswedan will endorse each other should the February 14 election go to a run-off in June.

A celebrity recently quit a TV show after being rebuked for ‘dressing like a woman’, in a case LGBTQ activists say outlines the deep prejudice the community faces.

Weeks before the February 14 election, Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan have gone on the offensive to narrow Defence Minister Prabowo’s large lead.

Fallout between President Joko Widodo and ruling PDI-P has spilled into the open after party’s grand dame made thinly veiled attack on his loyalty at an event to which he was not invited.

The Labour Party, made up of trade unionists, is looking to become the first centre-left party to enter Indonesia’s House of Representatives.

Analysts said while none of the three candidates stood out, Anies displayed the most ‘strategic vision’ while Prabowo was constantly on the back foot.

With Modi on course for a third term, Jokowi lining up a new political dynasty and the opposition hamstrung in both Pakistan and Bangladesh, illiberal democracy looks likely to be the biggest winner of this year’s polls.

Ganjar Pranowo’s humble upbringing contrasts with political dynasties, ex-military figures with deep roots in the Suharto era who have dominated Indonesian politics.

Analysts said Singapore’s statement served as a warning to the 250,000 Indonesians living there not to ‘conduct political campaigning or fundraising’ on foreign soil.

Vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka was summoned for allegedly violating campaign rules by handing out free milk to people at a public ‘car-free day’ event last month.

Gibran faced tough questioning over his experience and Solo’s development while he defended his father’s new capital project.

Anies Baswedan shone with his oratory skills, while Ganjar Pranowo scored points by reminding voters of Prabowo Subianto’s past human rights controversies.

Analysts say Indonesian voters see the pairing as remaining just ‘like Jokowi’s era’, while Prabowo benefits from his rival Anies’ lack of branding.

Analysts say Nusantara is a ‘huge drain on the public purse’ and likely to be an increasingly controversial issue in the run-up to the February polls.

Indonesia has a history of first ladies facing ‘political misogyny’ in which they often bore the brunt of their husbands’ missteps, ‘failings’.

Prabowo Subianto is riding high in the polls, as his ‘adorable’ social-media campaign wins over a younger generation largely unfamiliar with his contentious strongman past.

Millennials and Gen Zs make up more than half of Indonesia’s eligible voters, giving them the power to swing next year’s presidential election.

As the ruling PDI-P openly discusses a split from President Joko Widodo, there are doubts if the party can still retain its stronghold in parts of Java.