Political observers say that if President Widodo (left) and his likely contender in the 2019 presidential election, former general Prabowo Subianto (right), try to use the same old strategies they did in 2014, it will only alienate votes.

This is because unlike the recent Jakarta gubernatorial election, using the religious card just won’t fly as Widodo is known as a devout Muslim, and attacking him over alleged communist links already failed 2014.

Conversely, if Widodo again tries to highlight diversity and pluralism, this will only expose his own atrocious record on the issue, and given that Widodo has done nothing to address past rights violations, attacking Prabowo on this will only backfire.