Opinion | Stability seen as key factor in Indonesia poll, but Western media focus on new leader's controversial past
By Augustus K. Yeung
Indonesia is currently a high- achiever and the most promising country among the ten-member ASEAN bloc. So far, it is pursuing a policy of neutrality between the U.S. and China, its largest trading partner. The close cooperation with China in constructing the high-profiled speed railway ranks it the first nation in Asia-Pacific region to do so.
After 10 years of stability and prosperity under the rule of Joko Widodo, Indonesia is a promising country to which many developing countries in Asia look up to.
As his second term presidency ends, Widodo must step down this year. All eyes are on Prabowo, as he prepares to take charge in Indonesia. The New York Times presented a perspective on the ex-general's past – as a suppressor of protesters.
Likely leader stirs fears among many Indonesians
Prabowo Subianto, the current minister of defense and ex-general, has been called, "A strongman apparatchik accused of multiple human rights abuses. A violent nationalist. A pious defender of Muslims. A loyal acolyte of a popular president with few achievements of his own." He has been called all of these over the years he has sought power in Indonesia.
He is now projected to be the country's next president. Unofficial tallies from the election of Wednesday show him winning a decisive victory, with nearly 60 percent of the vote.
During the campaign, Prabowo repeatedly promised that he would continue on the path and policies chartered by Joko Widodo.
Joko, who twice beat Mr. Prabowo in previous elections and is scheduled to step down in October, seemed to offer support to this former rival through his 36-year-old son, Gibran Raka, who will be Prabowo's vice president.
But it remains unclear what kind of leader Prabowo, 72, will be.
On Wednesday night, Prabowo sought to portray himself as a unifying figure. "Now the campaign is over, we are reunited, brothers and sisters," he told supporters. "Let's forget harsh words. Between siblings, fighting is normal. But quarrels should not become long-lasting divisions."
Prabowo has pitched a plan called "Golden Indonesia 2045" that he said would help further the country's development over the next few decades. He has pledged to provide free lunches and milk for schoolchildren and build modern hospitals in every regency and city. He has also said he would build three million homes for the needy and increase teachers' salaries.
Prabowo says he regards Indonesia's domestic prosperity as a way for the country to establish a stronger global presence. He does not plan to veer from Indonesia's long nonaligned foreign policy.
The imminent victory of Prabowo Subianto in Indonesia's presidential elections is seen to preserve political and economic stability in the country, with analysts noting that the candidate will continue the popular policies of the incumbent President Joko Widodo, reported China Daily.
The General Elections Commission has yet to declare the official results of the Feb. 14 elections, but quick counts by the country's top surveyors revealed that Subianto, the defense minister, has secured around 58 percent of votes, while his two rivals obtained 25 percent and 16 percent respectively.
Subianto, a three-time presidential candidate (twice defeated by Widodo), declared victory in Indonesia's presidential election on Wednesday night.
"This is a victory for all Indonesian people. But I want to say that although we win, we should not be arrogant, we must stay humble. And I will embrace all parties," Subianto told thousands of his supporters at a sports stadium in Jakarta.
Ayra Fernandes, head of the department of politics and social change at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, said Subianto and Raka's wide lead against their rivals lends "legitimacy and at the same time it gives the duo self-confidence".
Ferbandes said Subianto's win will ensure a stable political situation and continuity, noting his campaign promise – that he would continue Widodo's programs.
Widodo, who has been serving as president for 10 years, is stepping down from his post later this year with a nearly 80 percent approval rating.
He is widely credited for Indonesia's massive infrastructure development, including the construction of the China-funded high-speed railway – a first in Southeast Asia.
But will his successor be pursuing his successful policies? Here is what the experts have said.
Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore, said Subianto's decision to run with the 36-year-old Raka is "a political masterstroke – to capture as much of the youth vote as possible".
Note: There are over 204 million registered voters in Indonesia – over 50 percent of whom are under the age of 40.
Mustafa said Indonesia's youth can be considered kingmaker in this year's elections, especially with the help of popular social media platforms where the Subianto-Raka pair campaigned heavily.
ASEAN supporter
Mustafa said Subianto's presidency will also bode well for regional stability – ensuring that Indonesia will remain a staunch supporter of ASEAN.
With the unofficial count showing that Subianto crossed the benchmark of more than half of the total votes for the presidency, it can be concluded that Subianto "has won this election on a one-round-basis by a landslide", Jeffrosenberg Chenlim, head of research at Maybank Indonesia, said.
Chemlim wrote in his research notes that a one-round election in Indonesia is the "best outcome for the market" as this will discourage opponents from pursuing serious election lawsuits. "With a one-round election instead of two, Prabowo's government will preserve more political power, so it does not need to share much of its power with opposition parties," he said. (Source: China Daily)
Apart from electing the president and vice-president, voters also cast their ballots for local lawmakers in the elections on Wednesday. The election was peaceful, and civic leaders have called on citizens to maintain peace and harmony.
Indonesians remain patient and optimistic – while waiting for the official election results.
China won't pull the plug. Will the U.S. exploit the ex-general's controversial past?
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
To contact the writer, please direct email: AugustusKYeung@ymail.com
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