Prabowo Subianto: ex-general headed for Indonesia presidency
Prabowo Subianto, the former military chief accused of rights abuses during his time in the Suharto dictatorship, is on track to win Indonesia’s presidential election. Despite facing allegations of human rights violations, Subianto’s strong lead in the polls suggests an imminent victory in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
With a convincing lead over his rivals, Subianto claimed a first-round victory on Wednesday, marking the culmination of his decades-long pursuit of high office. The defense minister’s popularity has been buoyed by his immense wealth, nationalist rhetoric, and his reputation as a strongman figurehead due to his former role as chief of the influential military.
Subianto’s political aspirations first surfaced in 2004 when he vied for the presidential candidacy of the Golkar party, previously led by Suharto. However, he failed to secure the nomination. In 2009, he ran for vice president alongside ex-president Megawati Sukarnoputri but did not succeed in winning the election. Subsequently, he suffered two losses in the presidential elections against the popular Joko Widodo, who is nearing the end of his constitutional two-term limit.
While Subianto’s rising approval ratings can be attributed to various factors, including his social media campaign targeting the country’s youth, concerns have been raised by rights groups. They fear that democratic freedoms achieved in the post-Suharto era could be jeopardized under Subianto’s leadership. The accusations against him include ordering the abduction of democracy activists during the twilight of Suharto’s rule. Although he was dismissed from the military in 1998 over these abductions, he denied the allegations and was never formally charged.
Despite his controversial past, Subianto has managed to rehabilitate his image, in part through his portrayal as a cuddly grandpa in a social media campaign. Furthermore, his selection of Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of the incumbent president, as his running mate has garnered support from younger Indonesians, who make up over half of the eligible voters.
Subianto’s promise to continue the economic development initiated by Widodo has helped solidify his position as the favorite. However, human rights organizations remain apprehensive, concerned that the progress made in democratic reforms could potentially be reversed.
Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, expressed his worry about the potential consequences of a Subianto presidency. I am still concerned that Prabowo — fully backed up by Jokowi — could roll back reforms achieved with tears and blood of my fellow student activists, he said, referring to the current president by his nickname. This could be the end of our hard-won freedom.
Born to a wealthy family in 1951, Subianto’s father served as a finance and trade minister, while his grandfather established Indonesia’s first state-owned bank. After residing in Switzerland and England during his childhood, Subianto returned to Indonesia in 1970 and joined the military. He married Suharto’s daughter, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, in 1983, but they have since divorced.
During his tenure as the leader of the elite army force, Kopassus, between 1997 and 1998, numerous kidnappings of activists occurred. More than a dozen activists remain missing, with witnesses accusing Subianto’s military unit of committing atrocities in East Timor.
Exiled voluntarily in Jordan after being dismissed from the military, Subianto later embarked on a successful business career focusing on palm oil and energy. His subsequent foray into politics prompted visa refusals from the United States and Australia due to his human rights record, but he has since mended relationships with both countries.
As Subianto emerges as the prospective president of Indonesia, concerns linger regarding the potential rollback of democratic reforms and the protection of human rights in the nation. The outcome of the election will undoubtedly shape the future of this Southeast Asian powerhouse, fostering both hope and trepidation among its citizens and the international community alike.
