Prabowo Subianto, the newly-elected President of Indonesia, has already asserted himself and his administration. He’s firmly quashed any speculation that he is in reality being controlled by former President Joko Widodo. Subianto unexpectedly won the 2019 presidential election by a large margin. His success was due in no small part to the popularity and political capital that Widodo brought to the ticket. In a cabinet meeting on May 5, Subianto addressed these issues and questions directly. He defined his independence and unambiguously articulated his vision for the country.
The new president acknowledged Widodo’s decade-long presidency as “a success,” stating, “Like it or not, we must recognise his achievements. For 10 years, he has led and delivered results.” He continued, calling the attention on Widodo’s academic credentials uncalled for. This red herring distracts from the true successes of his administration. “People question his diplomas despite his success during his decade of presidency,” Subianto remarked, adding a touch of humor with, “Soon they’ll be asking about my diploma too.”
Subianto’s denial is a surprising promise to make, given the rampant rumors circulating that his administration will be dominated by Widodo. High-ranking military and police officials, along with several cabinet ministers, made visits to Widodo during Subianto’s recent tour in the Middle East. This caused quite a stir when two cabinet ministers called Widodo their “boss,” although they had sworn loyalty to Subianto.
Amid these concerns, Subianto reinforced his leadership style by insisting that he consults with various former presidents but makes decisions independently. “Consulting with those who have led [the nation] before is not a weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom,” he stated. Specifically, he described meetings with former presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Megawati Soekarnoputri. He made it clear that he wants to sit down with the likes of Abdurrahman Wahid, Suharto, and Sukarno should he ever get the chance. “If I could meet Gus Dur [Abdurrahman Wahid], Suharto or even Sukarno, I would,” he added.
Political observers have already expressed their opinions about Subianto’s statements. Lili Romli called them a much-needed confirmation of his authority and independence as a President. She stated, “I think this is a clear assertion that Prabowo is independent, not under anyone’s control, including Jokowi’s.” Romli noted that Subianto needed to counter the “puppet narrative” which would pre-emptively erode his legitimacy. “This kind of affirmation is important because if the puppet narrative is left unchecked, it could damage his image and undermine his legitimacy as President,” she noted.
Hendri Satrio commented on the dynamics between the two leaders, acknowledging that while Prabowo’s rapport with Widodo is unprecedented, it now appears both leaders are establishing clear boundaries. “Prabowo knows how to show gratitude to Jokowi, but he’s signalling that he is not controlled by him,” Satrio explained.
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