Jokowi works to keep influence after election

Hard to say goodbye: Jokowi is not allowed to seek re-election after serving the maximum two terms. — Reuters

At the peak of his power but unable to contest next year’s presidential election, Indonesia’s wildly popular leader, Joko Widodo, is hedging his bets between the top two candidates and nurturing a dynasty to ensure a lasting influence, sources say.

While Jokowi has appeared to back the contender from the ruling party, he has also been covertly marshalling support for controversial ex-general Prabowo Subianto to run South-East Asia’s largest economy, four people with direct knowledge of the deliberations said.