Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated on Sunday as the eighth president of Indonesia, marking a significant milestone in the political journey of the former general. Once a controversial figure accused of human rights abuses, Subianto has now risen to the highest office in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, cementing his political comeback.
The 73-year-old took his oath of office on the Quran, the Muslim holy book, in front of lawmakers and foreign dignitaries in Jakarta. His inauguration was met with widespread celebration as thousands of supporters filled the streets of the capital. Banners, billboards, and flags adorned the city, and festivities included speeches, musical performances, and parades. Tens of thousands of Indonesians gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion along Jakarta’s main thoroughfares.
From rival to president
Subianto’s rise to power comes after years of being a political rival to the immensely popular outgoing president, Joko Widodo. Subianto contested against Widodo twice in the presidential elections of 2014 and 2019, refusing to concede defeat on both occasions. However, following Widodo’s reelection, the two former adversaries forged an unexpected alliance, with Widodo appointing Subianto as his defense minister. This partnership paved the way for Subianto to position himself as Widodo’s political successor, running in the 2024 election as a continuation of the outgoing president’s policies.
Backed by Widodo and running on a platform of policy continuity, Subianto won the February presidential election in a landslide victory. His campaign emphasized continuing Widodo’s signature policies, including the construction of a new capital city in Borneo and efforts to boost Indonesia’s domestic industries by limiting the export of raw materials.
A new leadership dynamic
Alongside Subianto, 37-year-old Gibran Rakabuming Raka was sworn in as vice president. Raka, a former mayor of Surakarta and the eldest son of Joko Widodo, was chosen as Subianto’s running mate, further solidifying the alliance between the two leaders. This selection marked a departure from Indonesian political norms, as outgoing presidents traditionally do not endorse their successors. Despite their past rivalry, Widodo’s tacit support helped Subianto secure widespread approval.
The new administration is expected to continue Widodo’s ambitious projects, but how Subianto will govern Indonesia—Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s third-largest democracy—remains uncertain. During his campaign, Subianto made few concrete policy promises beyond maintaining continuity with the outgoing president’s agenda.
A controversial past
Subianto’s ascension to the presidency is particularly notable given his controversial past. A former special forces commander, he was expelled from the Indonesian military in 1998 amid accusations of involvement in human rights abuses, including the abduction and torture of pro-democracy activists during the final years of President Suharto’s dictatorship. Subianto has never faced trial for these allegations, though several of his subordinates were convicted. After being dismissed from the military, he went into self-imposed exile in Jordan.
Despite this dark chapter in his past, Subianto’s political career has seen a resurgence in recent years. His inauguration marks a significant comeback for a figure once shunned by many in the international community.
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Foreign dignitaries and global challenges
Subianto’s inauguration attracted leaders and dignitaries from more than 30 countries. Notably, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and several leaders from Southeast Asia were in attendance. The United States was represented by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, alongside Admiral Samuel Paparo, the U.S. Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, a close ally of Subianto, was expected to attend but canceled due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Instead, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nancy Namrouqa represented the country.
Subianto takes office at a time of global economic uncertainty and rising regional tensions in Asia. As president, he will face the challenge of navigating Indonesia’s relationships with major powers like China and the United States, particularly as territorial disputes and the U.S.-China rivalry intensify in the region.
Continuation of Widodo’s legacy
Subianto has vowed to continue many of Widodo’s modernizing efforts, including infrastructure development and leveraging Indonesia’s natural resources for economic growth. A key aspect of his platform is maintaining Widodo’s policy of requiring key exports like nickel, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries, to be processed domestically, rather than exported raw.
Subianto has also committed to advancing Widodo’s most ambitious project—the construction of a new capital on the island of Borneo, designed to alleviate overcrowding in Jakarta.
In addition to infrastructure, Subianto has pledged to tackle malnutrition among children, promising to provide free school lunches and milk to millions of students across the country.
A new chapter for Indonesia
Subianto’s inauguration represents the beginning of a new era for Indonesia, a diverse and rapidly growing democracy in Southeast Asia. As the country moves forward under his leadership, it remains to be seen how the former general will shape the future of this dynamic and vibrant nation.
