What to Expect From Indonesia Under President-elect Prabowo Subianto

As Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration approaches this October, the future of Indonesia’s foreign and domestic policies remains uncertain. Although Prabowo has had a long career in the military and public office, his politics have evolved over time. Moreover, Prabowo has largely served in the shadow of President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, over the past decade. Although Prabowo owes much of his recent political success to the current president, his administration will likely diverge from what has come before.

For example, Prabowo has expressed a keen interest in foreign policy, an issue Jokowi was uninterested in. He may vastly expand Jokowi’s welfare programs at the expense of Indonesia’s economy and fiscal outlook. However, the democratic regression Indonesia experienced under Jokowi is sure to persist under Prabowo, which is an unwelcome continuity. Read my new article for the Japan Times for more on what to expect from a Prabowo presidency.