By hannover-web.com On October 20th, Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated as Indonesia’s new president in Jakarta, taking over from outgoing president Joko Widodo. Notably, Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, stepped in as the new vice president, marking him as the youngest to hold that position in the country’s history. The inauguration was attended by high-ranking officials from both the U.S. and China, showcasing the importance of Indonesia on the global stage.
In his inaugural address, Prabowo, who previously served as Indonesia’s Minister of Defense and a commander in the special forces, called for national unity and emphasized the need for energy and food self-sufficiency. He also highlighted the significance of democracy and non-aligned foreign policy, advocating for a coexistence between China and the U.S.
At 73 years old, Prabowo has become the oldest president in Indonesian history, surpassing B.J. Habibie’s age of 61 at his inauguration in 1998. Prabowo won the presidency after three attempts, securing 58.59% of the votes this time, having previously lost to Widodo twice.
International reports indicate that the new government has five key priorities, which include providing free nutrition meals for over 80 million children and pregnant women, boosting national income, constructing 3 million homes annually (with 2 million targeted for low-income families in rural areas), and focusing on health, education, and both foreign and defense policy.
What remains uncertain is how Prabowo will govern the nation, as he made few specific campaign promises, mentioning only a commitment to “follow the regulations.”
On the evening of his inauguration, Prabowo unveiled the cabinet for what he termed the “Red and White Cabinet,” inspired by the colors of the Indonesian flag. Sri Mulyani Indrawati, a 62-year-old economist, remains as finance minister, a decision seen as a positive step towards boosting market confidence in Indonesia’s economy. However, the new government’s large-scale spending plans have raised concerns about potential debt issues, and the expanded cabinet has been criticized for political favoritism, possibly impacting governmental efficiency.
Kevin Khoe, a chief analyst at the Indonesian Institute of International Relations, noted that Prabowo has called for responsible global leadership from both China and the U.S., advocating for coexistence, cooperation, and division of labor between the two powers. Dina, founder of a Jakarta consulting firm, emphasized that under Prabowo, Indonesia will continue to collaborate with its largest trading partner and primary source of investment, China.
Dina also highlighted that Prabowo is likely to personally attend all international meetings and forums, which sets him apart from Widodo. This commitment ensures that he can engage directly with leaders like Xi Jinping. With confidence, Prabowo intends to approach other major countries interested in maintaining security in the South China Sea.
While China asserts its territorial claims in the South China Sea through its “nine-dash line,” overlapping with Indonesia’s Natuna Islands’ exclusive economic zone, Prabowo is expected to navigate these complexities cautiously.
A lengthy article published by the director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in the U.K. in the latest issue of the American journal Foreign Affairs remarked that during Joko Widodo’s ten-year presidency, Indonesia managed to avoid taking sides in the U.S.-China rivalry, thereby showcasing a diplomatic strategy that sidesteps direct confrontation.
