[News Figures] Indonesia's Democratic Backslide? ... 'Prabowo' Wins Presidential Election

On the 14th (local time), in the Indonesian presidential election, Prabowo Subianto (72, pictured), a former army general, won with the support of incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Concerns have arisen that Indonesia's democracy may regress as Subianto, who was banned from entering the United States for 20 years due to human rights abuses, joined hands with President Jokowi, who aims to build the 'Jokowi dynasty' by emphasizing economic development achievements.

Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian presidential candidate.
Photo by Bloomberg

Prabowo, from a famous elite family, is the son of an economist who served as Minister of Economy and held several ministerial positions under the regime of Sukarno, Indonesia's first president. His grandfather was the founder of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) and the first chairman of the government's Supreme Advisory Council.

Born in 1951 in the capital city Jakarta, Prabowo spent his childhood in various overseas locations including London, UK. Encouraged by his father, he graduated from the military academy and became a soldier. He served for 28 years, holding key positions such as special forces commander, until he was dishonorably discharged as a lieutenant general in 1998. In 1976, he was dispatched to East Timor, then an Indonesian territory, where he harshly suppressed separatist movements, gaining the favor of then-President Suharto, and married Suharto's daughter in 1983.

As Suharto's son-in-law, who ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for 32 years, Prabowo held important military posts. During this time, he was suspected of harshly suppressing anti-government forces in Papua and East Timor and abducting pro-democracy activists. Notably, his involvement in the harsh crackdown in East Timor led to a U.S. entry ban until 2022, which was only recently lifted.

After Suharto stepped down in 1998, Prabowo was dishonorably discharged, divorced his wife, and went into exile abroad. He returned to Indonesia in 2001, successfully made a comeback by founding a pulp company, and entered politics by establishing the Gerindra Party in 2008. He ran for president consecutively in 2014 and 2019 but was defeated by President Jokowi. However, Jokowi appointed Prabowo, his 'political rival' and opposition leader, as Minister of Defense. Ahead of this election, Jokowi also made his eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Prabowo's running mate and openly showed support for both Prabowo and Gibran.

Before this election, Prabowo declared that he would retire from politics if he lost and would inherit President Jokowi's political legacy if elected. This, combined with Jokowi's support votes and sympathy votes, is interpreted as the reason for his victory in this presidential election.

Considering that he pledged to continue President Jokowi's economic and foreign policies in his campaign promises, it is expected that the new government's direction will not differ significantly from the current one. For example, President Jokowi is currently pushing forward the 'New Capital Nusantara Project,' which involves relocating the capital from Jakarta to the island of Kalimantan, and Prabowo plans to continue this project in a consistent manner.

On the other hand, there are forecasts that the era of freedom that came to Indonesia after Suharto's ousting may be threatened. In particular, there are significant concerns that the hereditary dictatorship of President Jokowi, the 'kingmaker' who helped elect Prabowo, will intensify.