JAKARTA -- Political Indicators researcher, Bawono Kumoro, said that support for the presidential and vice presidential candidate pair Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka will increase after BUMN Minister Erick Thohir gave his support.

He assessed that Erick Thohir was known as one of the best ministers in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet who was hardworking and cold-handed. "Support for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is getting stronger after receiving full support from Erick Thohir," said Bawono, Sunday (24/12/2023).

Bawono said that under Erick Thohir's leadership, the Ministry of BUMN and PSSI experienced very positive developments. Erick Thohir is also known as the most reliable minister in the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet and also has high trust in the eyes of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Not to mention, Erick is also the general chairman of the Sharia Economic Community (MES).

Erick served as interim coordinating minister for maritime affairs, replacing Luhur Binsar Pandjaitan. "Placing ET as coordinating minister for maritime affairs while LBP undergoes health recovery shows President Joko Widodo's high trust in ET," said Bawono.

Because of this, continued Bawono, it is unlikely that Erick will be in a different camp from Prabowo - Gibran, who in fact are the pair of candidates who best represent President Jokowi's interests for sustainable development in the next five years.

Indonesia will hold presidential elections on February 14 2024, featuring three pairs of candidates. They are the pair Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD.

Erick Thohir emerged as one of the strongest vice presidential candidates with the highest electability. However, Erick Thohir prefers to work as Minister of BUMN for nation building and community empowerment.