Hundreds of workers rallied in support of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Saturday 7 November, while hundreds of women marched against his policies on the same streets, in a split-screen day for a president under growing pressure.

The workers' demonstration was led by Labour Party chair Said Iqbal, who is also a special adviser to the president. He called for unity behind Prabowo and promised to mobilise union members against anyone threatening the presidency.

"We can mobilise members of our organisation across every town, every factory," Said was quoted as saying. "We are prepared to respond at any moment to maintain order should any unrest arise, whether instigated by foreign interests or by individuals seeking to cause trouble."

The rally came amid allegations that police illegally intercepted the president's communications. Police have named four senior police officials as suspects, including a former national police chief seen as a loyalist of former president Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi. The case has exposed strains between Prabowo and his predecessor and former backer, who has said he respects the legal process.

Women's march sets out nine demands

The women's march, organised by civil society groups, set out nine demands covering women's rights, the environment, the economy and health. Marchers protested against Prabowo's handling of forest fires that have burned for months, his costly free-meal programme and a tax on women's sanitary products. Singer and actor Sherina Munaf joined the march carrying a poster about the fires.

The two demonstrations followed student rallies in Jakarta and other cities last week. Reuters described the pro-Prabowo rally as a contrast to recent protests against the administration, driven by discontent over populist spending, the wildfires and weakening investor confidence in Southeast Asia's largest economy.