Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Prabowo Subianto were seen dining together at a public restaurant in Jakarta on Friday, hinting at support for his potential successor.

While maintaining a publicly neutral stance for the February 14 election, Jokowi's support for the presidential candidate became evident through the inclusion of his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as Prabowo's running mate. Additionally, Jokowi's youngest son, Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Chairman Kaesang Pangarep, formally endorsed Prabowo’s candidacy.

Media members received a photo of the encounter between Jokowi and Prabowo. Jokowi, in his characteristic white shirt and dark trousers, appeared earnest while engaged in conversation with Prabowo, his defense minister.

The meeting occurred just two days before the presidential debate focusing on defense and foreign policy issues among contenders Prabowo, Anies Baswedan, and Ganjar Pranowo. An aide of the president said the rendezvous was at Seribu Rasa Restaurant in Menteng subdistrict.

It marks the first informal interaction in public between the two since Gibran's inclusion as a vice presidential candidate in October.

Anies told the Kompas news website that he held no concerns about that.

“The meeting was between the president and one of his ministers, so it’s okay for me,” he said.