Widodo lead cut in presidential race

Indonesian elections front runner Joko Widodo cut his edge from a 25-point lead to just four points over his main rival former general Prabowo Subianto. The fall came in the wake of rumors the 53-year-old governor of Indonesia’s capital city was ethnic Chinese and a Christian, not a Muslim. Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population where ethnic Chinese had faced persecution in the past. Widodo easily refuted the claims, but lackluster support from factions within his party, questions about his ability to lead and a shift in TV media support added to his number’s decrease. The Wall Street Journal reported the race is gripping the nation of 250 million people ahead of the July 9 polls, adding uncertainty for investors in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The two candidates offer similar solutions for Indonesia’s slowing growth rate. Widodo is a plain-talking former furniture exporter who was rated one of Indonesia’s best mayors. Prabowo himself is reeling from the backlash of a music video featuring an Indonesian rock star wearing a Nazi-style uniform, opening up a sensitivity over his military record. Prabowo had admitted ordering the abduction of democracy activists during the Suharto dictatorship.

Read the full story on The Wall Street Journal.

Read related story on why the race matters to the Philippines here.

Read more on Widodo’s campaign here.

Read more on Prabowo’s music video that backfired here.