Indonesia's Prabowo: Victory, controversies and hopes | Talk to Al Jazeera

Summary

In an insightful interview, Indonesia's president-elect Prabowo Subianto discusses his vision for the nation, emphasizing poverty alleviation and resource management as top priorities. With a strong mandate following his election victory, he acknowledges the importance of engaging youth and addressing human rights concerns. Prabowo is committed to enhancing education and health through initiatives like a free lunch program for school children, while maintaining Indonesia's non-aligned foreign policy stance. His leadership aims to balance security and civil rights, seeking to be remembered as a champion for the welfare of the most vulnerable citizens.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prabowo Subianto won Indonesia's presidential election with nearly 60% of the vote, gaining support across 30 out of 32 provinces.
• 💡 His previous experience as Minister of Defense and prior presidential candidate contributed to his appeal, especially among young voters.
• 🤝 Prabowo acknowledges the influence of outgoing President Joko Widodo on his success, referring to it as the 'Jokowi effect.'
• 👨‍🎓 He chose Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's son, as vice president to attract younger voters focused on job opportunities and education.
• 📉 Addressing criticism, Prabowo defended social aid usage during his campaign, stating allegations of misuse are unfounded.
• 🌍 He emphasizes a willingness to collaborate with political opponents for national progress and support key initiatives like relocating the capital.
• 🍽️ Prabowo plans to implement a free lunch program for schoolchildren to combat poverty and improve education attendance.
• ⚖️ He acknowledges past human rights violations in Papua but insists on Indonesia's sovereignty to address internal issues without foreign interference.
• 📈 Prabowo is committed to democratic values, transparency, and accountability, aiming to serve all citizens, including those who didn't vote for him.
• 🌏 His foreign policy will remain non-aligned, focusing on maintaining good relations with both the U.S. and China for regional peace and prosperity.

Q & A

What was Prabowo Subianto's election victory percentage, and how many provinces did he win?

Prabowo Subianto won the presidency with nearly 60% of the vote and secured victories in 30 out of 32 provinces.

How did Prabowo's past roles influence his electoral success?

His previous candidacies and experience as Minister of Defense under President Joko Widodo contributed significantly to his electoral success, often linked to the 'Jokowi effect.'

What was the primary focus of Prabowo's campaign?

The primary focus of Prabowo's campaign was to improve the lives of the Indonesian people, especially the poor, by collaborating with the outgoing president rather than opposing him.

How did Prabowo address accusations of misusing social aid during his campaign?

Prabowo dismissed the accusations of misusing social aid as baseless, highlighting that he won support from the Indonesian diaspora without the influence of social assistance.

What are Prabowo's thoughts on relocating Indonesia's capital?

Prabowo supports moving Indonesia's capital to East Kalimantan to address Jakarta's overpopulation and ensure the protection of indigenous communities during the transition.

What initiative did Prabowo propose to help schoolchildren?

Prabowo proposed a free lunch program for schoolchildren to combat poverty and improve educational outcomes, viewing it as an investment in the country's future.

How did Prabowo respond to concerns about human rights abuses in Papua?

Prabowo acknowledged the existence of human rights abuses in Papua but emphasized the need to view them in context and advocated for security measures that prioritize negotiation.

What is Prabowo's stance on Indonesia's democratic system?

Prabowo defended Indonesia's democratic system, asserting that the citizens have freely chosen their leaders through elections and that claims of democratic backsliding are misinterpretations.

What is Prabowo's vision for Indonesia's foreign policy?

Prabowo envisions Indonesia maintaining a non-aligned stance in global politics, fostering friendly relations with all nations while navigating geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.

What does Prabowo hope to be remembered for at the end of his term?

Prabowo hopes to be remembered as a leader who prioritized the welfare of the most vulnerable populations in Indonesia, focusing on resource safeguarding and poverty alleviation.