Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo received support for his re-election bid from several relatives of Sandiaga Uno, the running mate of his opponent, Prabowo Subianto, during an official visit to Gorontalo on Thursday evening.

In a video that went viral on social media on Friday, family representative Rudi Hartono Uno reads out a statement saying that they decided to throw their weight behind the incumbent, because they have seen his performance and support for the development of the province during his first term as president.

"Therefore, we, the Uno family, have agreed to support Mr. Joko Widodo for one more term as president of the Republic of Indonesia," Rudi says in the video.

Twelve members of the Uno family, which is prominent in Gorontalo, have signed the statement. According to news portal Tirto.id, Sandiaga's father Razik Halik Uno, better known as Henk, also hails from the province.

In response, Jokowi expressed confusion, but also gratitude for their support. "The Uno family is supposed to support Mr. Sandi Uno; that's the right one [for them], so I don't understand why they support me... If it is me [they support], I thank them," Jokowi said, adding that this would provide a good perspective.

"But the right thing to do would be for Mr. Uno's relatives to support him. That would be the right thing, but it seems [their support for me] is even more right," Jokowi said.

Sandiaga has yet to respond to this development. The presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for April 17.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/context/jokowi-draws-support-from-relatives-of-his-opponents-running-mate