Indonesia election 2024: Prabowo warns on foreign meddling in frenzied final day of presidential campaigns

The nation entered a three-day period of election silence from Sunday, during which no campaigning is allowed and media outlets are barred from publishing anything that may influence voters. Participating parties are also required to take down any campaign materials on public display.

Prabowo’s camp claimed that Saturday’s rally was attended by 600,000 people, including former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

“Brothers and sisters, don’t be pitted against each other by foreign nations, don’t be continuously lied to, we must become a great, prosperous country, therefore we must maintain harmony and unity,” the former general told tens of thousands of supporters who had flocked to a stadium in central Jakarta for the rally.

Prabowo, who at 72 is Indonesia’s oldest presidential candidate, also took a jab at those who opposed his 400 trillion rupiah (US$25.6 billion) plan to offer schoolchildren free meals.

“Those who say that food for children is not important, in my opinion, are not sane people, not people who love their country. Whoever wants to be my minister, must agree that the children must be given lunch. If you don’t agree, there’s no need to join Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet,” he said.

“When we heard that in the days ahead there would be operations, to intimidate, to lead public opinion that the election would conclude in one round, I believe that the Indonesian people will face it with conscience, fight it with conscience,” Anies said.

“We are sure that, out there, there are government officials, civil servants, police officers, members of the armed forces, who are also Indonesian people who want their children to have a better future. That’s why, I’m sure, they will follow their conscience – even though they face