In a significant political development, Prabowo Subianto is leading the Indonesian presidential election by a wide margin, with over 200 million Indonesians having voted in what has been described as a free and fair election, with no efforts by losing candidates to contest the results. Despite the overwhelming participation, the election has stirred controversy and concern among various groups and individuals. Paian Siahaan, for instance, is haunted by the likely victory of Prabowo, whom he blames for the disappearance of his son 25 years ago during the 1998 riots. Prabowo's past, marked by allegations of rights abuses and a disdain for democracy, raises questions about the future direction of Indonesian democracy and its foreign policy, encapsulated in concerns whether 'Prabowo Wins. Does Indonesian Democracy Lose?'. Analysts speculate that Prabowo's foreign policy might continue the business-friendly relations with Beijing established by his predecessor, Joko Widodo, while also seeking to attract more American investment and trade. Furthermore, Indonesia is set to have its youngest-ever vice-president, Joko Widodo's son, a move that could allow the outgoing leader to maintain influence. Amidst these developments, there are concerns about the potential rollback of democratic gains and the impact of Prabowo's presidency on regional dynamics in Southeast Asia. Additionally, Prabowo has made no decision on adjusting energy subsidies, a point of speculation in his policy direction.
Prabowo will likely continue Jokowi’s economic policies, building up Indonesian infrastructure, trying to streamline the environment for foreign investment, and focusing on some populist policies designed to help the very poor, writes @JoshKurlantzick. https://t.co/OujwTjZOeR
Where is Jakarta’s South China Sea policy heading under Prabowo? https://t.co/d4KDUvfg2r Indonesia’s new president may advocate a pragmatic approach but don’t expect radical changes, experts say.
Like Trump, Indonesia’s next president Prabowo Subianto will require careful diplomatic handling. Australia will need to select a “Prabowo whisperer” to keep the relationship on an even keel. Strongman’s road to democracy https://t.co/wmiJJ7iYGO
Indonesians voted for two politicians on their ballots on Wednesday to lead them into the future: In reality, they’re getting three. Indonesia Election: Prabowo Faces US-China Challenges - Bloomberg https://t.co/N5hegiDPMo
Editorial: Indonesian voters choose economy-oriented approach in presidential election https://t.co/sZ0SJ5jx7S
Late to repost this excellent and deeply personal piece by @KarishmaJourno on the Indonesian election and the widespread fears that the result could wind back this country’s hard won democracy https://t.co/ENzbHfS505
"Families of Indonesian activists who were kidnapped and tortured by the military 25 years ago demanded justice in a protest Thursday and expressed shock over the apparent presidential victory of Prabowo Subianto, whom they blamed for the atrocities." https://t.co/QFR24frmcZ
Until serving in Jokowi’s cabinet, Prabowo had repeatedly expressed outright disdain for Indonesia’s already shaky democracy, writes @JoshKurlantzick. https://t.co/PQfd7JADfa
#Indonesia #China ties: will president-elect Prabowo confront Beijing or maintain Widodo’s economic deals? Several analysts say Prabowo is unlikely to do anything to upend the economic cooperation outgoing president Joko Widodo has established with China. But, one observer… https://t.co/yV0tPjZQKy
Indonesian president's son also rises, but what will his role as new VP be? https://t.co/tQhE8B6cQo https://t.co/AL2xA7uS7H
⚠️ INDONESIAN PRESIDENT'S SON ALSO RISES, BUT WHAT WILL HIS ROLE AS NEW VP BE? (Reuters) Everything about Indonesia's 36-year-old presumed incoming vice president - from his looks and mannerisms to his baritone voice - is reminiscent of his father, the outgoing and wildly… https://t.co/h2YozYQnmv
All eyes in Indonesia will now be watching to see if presumptive President-elect Prabowo will honor his campaign promises to continue his predecessor’s populist policies—or if he will give in to his authoritarian tendencies https://t.co/T7FF0Dgt6L
One Indonesian man isn't celebrating Prabowo Subianto's ascent to the presidency. His 22-year-old son "was one of the pro-democracy activists who disappeared during the chaotic riots of 1998...at a time when Prabowo was an influential military commander." https://t.co/bqCByKchGR
EDITORIAL: Indonesia must avoid rolling back long march to democracy | The Asahi Shimbun Asia & #Japan Watch https://t.co/tddDCBYRtM
An election victory in Indonesia poses a threat to democracy https://t.co/fVxJh2CSCT
Indonesia's Prabowo has made no decision on energy subsidies, says aide https://t.co/DtYneAWbRS https://t.co/dYJ7FKgvu1
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto has made no decision on adjusting energy subsidies, a senior member of his team said, after media reported the likely new president would target subsidies as his first move upon assuming office in October https://t.co/FjKUdqCwBC
⚠️ INDONESIA'S PRABOWO HAS MADE NO DECISION ON ENERGY SUBSIDIES, SAYS AIDE (Reuters) Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto has made no decision on adjusting energy subsidies, a senior member of his team said on Friday, after media reported the likely new president would target subsidies… https://t.co/vrenOT7Sey
#Indonesia's Prabowo has made no decision on energy subsidies, says aide #oott https://t.co/9MLvWkRrQM
Prabowo has promised continuity. Just don’t expect Jokowi 3.0 https://t.co/NK8BUzZgYq
Supporters of Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto celebrate his likely presidency while Paian Siahaan, whose son disappeared during the 1998 riots, fears justice for victims like his son may be overlooked with Prabowo's rise. https://t.co/lTquwavFXT
Indonesia is set to get its youngest-ever vice-president in Joko Widodo’s son, which may allow the outgoing leader to wield influence beyond the end of his final term https://t.co/wVQS34kV5r
Not an auspicious sign: Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's likely new president, was "the only candidate not to respond to a questionnaire from Human Rights Watch, or attend an event where candidates pledged to protect press freedom." https://t.co/pSdNUbogax
What will Prabowo’s foreign policy be like? Likely a continuation of Jokowi's business-friendly relations with Beijing, as also attempts to attract more American investment and trade will continue. More from @globalsarang https://t.co/ETCwFBim14
Supporters of Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto are celebrating his likely ascent to the presidency, but for Paian Siahaan it is a painful reminder of his missing son and the man he blames for his disappearance in 1998 https://t.co/zh5ajUI5SA https://t.co/kzTlvrEQVw
#BREAKING Prabowo leading Indonesia election by wide margin with half of votes counted: commission https://t.co/dPhYe7CF9v
My analysis of Prabowo's victory in the context of other elections in Southeast Asia. #Indonesian democracy both informs and is informed by neighboring states. "Gen. Prabowo’s electoral victory casts long shadow on Southeast Asia." https://t.co/oMNgnqM9Te
Indonesia's likely new president haunts father of missing activist https://t.co/S354G9JkGH https://t.co/MbwuZqTWkU
What will Prabowo’s foreign policy be like? His past record indicates that the ex-general is much more a strong-willed, if volatile, pragmatist than an ideologue, writes @globalsarang https://t.co/ETCwFBim14
Prabowo is notorious for past rights abuses and disdain for Indonesian democracy. So now what happens? and how will he deal with independent Timor-Leste? Prabowo Wins. Does Indonesian Democracy Lose? https://t.co/1F5zuVI6km via @CFR_org
Paian Siahaan hasn't seen his son Ucok in 25 years. This year’s Indonesia elections are a painful for Siahaan, where the presumed winner is Prabowo Subianto — the same man he believes was involved in his son’s kidnapping https://t.co/zh5ajUI5SA https://t.co/Kfc1baTlcJ
over 200 million people voted in indonesia in a single day. elections overwhelmingly viewed as free & fair, no efforts by losing candidates to contest the results. we’ll see similar outcomes around the world in democratic elections this year. just not in the united states.