Jakarta. Reports of discord between President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto have surfaced recently, but the Presidential Palace has dismissed these claims as attempts to sow division and disrupt the continuity of government.

"Where is the rift? That’s the question Mr. Prabowo himself is asking. The President-elect firmly denies the various speculations, rumors, and even political maneuvers aimed at creating a wedge between him and President Joko Widodo," Presidential Special Staff Juri Ardiantoro stated in a written statement on Monday.

He emphasized that any attempts to create division by claiming a strained relationship between President Joko Widodo and the President-elect are efforts to undermine the government's continuity agenda.

Juri further explained that the primary focus of President Joko Widodo's administration is to lay a strong foundation for a smooth governmental transition. Jokowi has provided ample space and opportunities for the President-elect to develop strategic agendas to implement his vision and mission for the sustainability of the government.

"Divisive politics is an outdated tactic that the public no longer tolerates. So, stop creating narratives and speculations that could fracture us as a nation," Juri added.

Speaking at the National Mandate Party (PAN) national congress in Jakarta on Saturday, Prabowo Subianto expressed his commitment to uniting all political forces and collaborating with his incoming government to enhance national prosperity. However, he acknowledged that some factions are intent on prolonging post-election tensions.

Though he did not name specific parties, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) remains the only major political group yet to align with Prabowo’s incoming government.

Tensions between the PDI-P and Prabowo's coalition have become particularly evident ahead of the Jakarta gubernatorial election, where the PDI-P has chosen to nominate a different candidate than the pro-Prabowo bloc.

PDI-P is expected to nominate Anies Baswedan, whom Prabowo endorsed during the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election. Anies won that election by defeating Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who had PDI-P's backing. Anies and Prabowo both ran as presidential candidates in the 2024 election, where Prabowo won by a significant margin. However, Anies remains popular in the Jakarta election, with his electability surpassing that of Prabowo's candidate Ridwan Kamil, according to recent polls by Saiful Mujani Research Centre.

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