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Former Indonesian General Prabowo Subianto Claims Victory, Raising Concerns About Democracy
The official election results are expected by March 20, with concerns lingering about the potential erosion of Indonesia’s hard-fought democracy under a Prabowo presidency.
The former Indonesian general Prabowo Subianto has claimed victory in the presidential election after unofficial “quick counts” indicated he secured over 50 percent of the vote. Once a feared figure during the Soeharto era, Prabowo’s potential return to power has ignited concerns about the future of Indonesia’s democracy.
Despite his reputation for alleged human rights abuses, including the crackdown on student protests in 1998, Prabowo has successfully reinvented himself as a ‘cute grandpa’ during the campaign. Activists and critics argue that his victory could embolden rights abuses, given his history of avoiding accountability for past allegations.
Prabowo Subianto, a former son-in-law of ex-leader Soeharto, played a pivotal role in the student-led protests of 1998 that ended Soeharto’s three-decade rule, leading to democratic reforms in Indonesia. However, Prabowo’s checkered history includes commanding the Kopassus Special Forces, which cracked down on a protest at Jakarta’s Trisakti University in 1998, resulting in four student deaths and dozens wounded. Despite facing dishonorable discharge from the military, Prabowo never stood trial for the incident.
His alleged involvement in orchestrating anti-Chinese riots in 1998 and human rights abuses has raised international concerns. The united States imposed a travel ban on Prabowo, which was lifted in 2020 when he became Indonesia’s defense minister. Prabowo has denied accusations but admitted to assisting in the abduction of activists during the Soeharto era, claiming he was following orders.
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During the recent presidential campaign, Prabowo successfully portrayed himself in a way to appeal to younger voters, capitalizing on the fact that many were too young to remember his controversial past. The campaign included promises such as job creation and free school lunches, contributing to his reported assets of over $127 million. Prabowo’s association with outgoing President Joko Widodo and having Jokowi’s son as his running mate further strengthened his political standing.
While some voters dismiss allegations against Prabowo as mere opinions, critics argue that his presidency could pose a threat to Indonesia’s democracy. Analysts suggest that, if elected, Prabowo might not revert to full-fledged autocracy but could impact the democratic process, working to shrink the space for conversation and proceduralize democracy.
