Fana Suparman, Jakarta – Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto told journalists during a celebration in South Jakarta on Friday, which coincided with the fourth announcement of his self-proclaimed victory in the April 17 election, that his supporters have suggested a new name for him.

"They gave me the name 'Haji Ahmad Prabowo Subianto,'" the retired Army general said, adding that he was still deciding whether to accept it.

"I am still thinking about it, but if it comes from Habib, it may be the most appropriate for me; but I want further consultation first," he said.

The presidential candidate is backed by some Muslim parties, including the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which has many hardline Islamists in its leadership.

Habib is an honorary title given to Islamic scholars from the Sayyid community, or descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Popular Islamic scholars supporting Prabowo include firebrand cleric "Habib" Rizieq Shihab, who is currently in self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia after police charged him for allegedly violating the 2008 Pornography Law by having a sexually explicit dalliance on WhatsApp.

Prabowo asked for comments from his supporters, who crowded the area around his family home in Jalan Kertanegara in South Jakarta.

"I will ask for signatures from the people of Indonesia, whether [the name] fits me or not," he said, amid huge cheers from his supporters. "It fits!" some yelled.

He did not reveal who had proposed the new Islamic name for him.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/context/prabowos-muslim-supporters-suggest-new-name-for-him