Prabowo Subianto

7 crucial issues casting a shadow over Prabowo-Gibran’s likely Indonesian election victory

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024
Freedom, Professional, Weather, Education, Angga, Pregnancy, Curriculum, LFP, Climate change, ITB, Health, University, Prabowo Subianto, Certification, Policy, Student, Riot, Journalism, National university, Milk, Child, Environment, Pressure, UII, Nutrition, Coal, Biodiversity loss, Muslims, Bukit, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Life, Carbon, Jenderal Soedirman University, Creativity, Speech, Research, Nickel, Airlangga University, Policy studies, Welfare, Government, Risk, Prevalence, School, Anies, Teaching, Malnutrition, Failure, Nursing

After four election attempts and three presidential races, the 72-year-old Defence Minister is set to succeed President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who has been in power for a decade.

Key Points: 
  • After four election attempts and three presidential races, the 72-year-old Defence Minister is set to succeed President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who has been in power for a decade.
  • We summarised the views of nine academics on seven crucial issues that have become public discussions following recent presidential and vice-presidential debates.

1. Human rights and freedoms on the line

  • Prabowo had admitted his involvment in the kidnapping of pro-democracy activists in May 1998 riots, but said he released them.
  • Eka said it was concerning that Prabowo did not include any commitment to resolve past human rights violations in his election platform.
  • “Hoping for Prabowo to resolve the past human rights cases seems impossible.
  • It is difficult to expect Prabowo to be able to fully protect human rights, including civil, political, economic and socio-cultural rights of the entire community,” Eka said.

2. The New Capital’s funding challenge

  • Prabowo-Gibran’s victory means the development of the New Capital city in East Kalimantan, one of Jokowi’s signature projects, will continue as planned.
  • With many of Prabowo-Gibran’s campaign programs requiring substantial funding, including the free lunch and internet programs, money will be tight.
  • “There is still a burden from the debt inherited by the Jokowi administration, and the interest is also very high.
  • This does not include the risk of biodiversity loss due to the reduction in cover.

3. Food estate’s risk of failure

  • However, amid a changing climate and the risk of extreme weather, the food estate project is at high risk of failure.
  • Prabowo must reconsider the food estate project, Angga said, because Indonesia had already experienced two losses by forcing itself to boost mass agriculture: the Suharto-era million-hectare rice field project in Central Kalimantan and the food estate project in Merauke in Papua.

4. Strategies for nickel and other industries

  • Additionally, given its status as one of the world’s biggest nickel producers, Indonesia’s export ban on raw nickel and the flood of semi-finished nickel products in the international market has seen global nickel prices plummet.
  • Krisna said the downstream aspirations echoed by Prabowo-Gibran were not only about nickel, but also crude palm oil, coal and digital downstreaming.
  • “Some of these industries are varied, and many require a wide scale that may not be sufficient if they only rely on the domestic market.

5. Improving teacher and lecturer welfare

  • One study found increased welfare could encourage educators to improve the quality of the teaching and learning process.
  • Another study in 2019 showed the fulfilment of adequate welfare for teachers would increase teachers’ enthusiasm when working.
  • Hariyadi concluded that although necessary, improving welfare was not the only component needed to enhance the quality of public services, especially in the education sector.

6. Protecting independent research and academic freedom

  • In the presidential debates, Prabowo and his two competitors did not explain their understanding of academic freedom.
  • The discussion about the political environment, academic autonomy and the legal environment determining academic freedom was nowhere to be found.
  • Masduki said Prabowo should acknowledge academic autonomy from the very beginning: from planning research topics and building the research environment to receiving funding not flavoured with political messages.

7. Progress on helping children grow

  • The prevalence of stunting cannot go down quickly in only one leadership period, as it is caused by many factors.
  • “The Health Ministry has a program for the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting during pregnancy.
  • “The target (of the program) is unclear, whether (it is) to overcome stunting, malnutrition or other nutrition.
  • Ultimately, budget allocations may hinder the efforts to reduce stunting, as Jokowi government has eliminated the mandatory spending for health.

On election eve, all 3 of Indonesia’s presidential candidates have troubling human rights records

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Religion, Riot, Freedom, Democratic Party, Minor, Mining, Record, Prosperous, Nasdem Party, Criminal code, Farmer, Authoritarianism, Ganjar Pranowo, National Awakening Party, PKS, Prabowo Subianto, Islam, Anies, Democracy, Ganjar, Politics, Birth, Police, Trauma, PKB

After nearly three months of campaigning, the three pairs vying for presidential and vice presidential seats are now in the cooling-off period.

Key Points: 
  • After nearly three months of campaigning, the three pairs vying for presidential and vice presidential seats are now in the cooling-off period.
  • That past is why the commitments of candidates to resolve human rights violations always come up during Indonesian elections.

Anies: concerns about his backers

  • Their programs related to human rights underlines Anies’ pledges to strengthen national human rights institutions, resolve past human rights cases and provide socio-economic recovery for victims of human rights violations.
  • Anies is the candidate with the most comprehensive details on his plans to revise regulations hindering press freedom and civil liberties.

Prabowo: haunted by deadly human rights allegations

  • Frontrunner Prabowo Subianto, who is running with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has pledged to strengthen democracy by protecting human rights for citizens.
  • The pair have also promised to eliminate discriminatory practices, including protecting the fundamental rights of communities and vulnerable groups.
  • However, only Prabowo-Gibran have not included any program to resolve past human rights violations among all candidates.

Ganjar: unresolved agrarian disputes

  • However, they do not expressly state what kinds of programs they will have to achieve this.
  • Ganjar has a poor record on agrarian conflicts during his tenure as the former governor of Central Java.
  • In 2018, he issued an environmental permit to construct the Bener Dam in Purworejo, Central Java, as part of a mining site.

No candidate is clean

  • The three presidential and vice-presidential pairs and their supporters have yet to be entirely assertive on the issue of civil liberties and human rights protection.
  • Given their track records, Indonesian voters face a challenge to vote for the candidate with the clearest position on human rights issues, given no one is thoroughly “clean” from human rights controversies.


Eka Nugraha Putra tidak bekerja, menjadi konsultan, memiliki saham, atau menerima dana dari perusahaan atau organisasi mana pun yang akan mengambil untung dari artikel ini, dan telah mengungkapkan bahwa ia tidak memiliki afiliasi selain yang telah disebut di atas.

200 million voters, 820,000 polling stations and 10,000 candidates: Indonesia’s massive election, by the numbers

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Woman, Running, General Elections Commission, Democratic Party, Australian, Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo, DPR, Attention, Prabowo Subianto, House, Region, United, KPU, Democracy, Representative, DPD, Senate, Pressure

There are three candidates running, alongside their vice presidential candidates.

Key Points: 
  • There are three candidates running, alongside their vice presidential candidates.
  • According to opinion polls, the favourite is Prabowo Subianto, leader of the Greater Indonesia Party (Gerindra), a populist and nationalist party he founded in 2008.
  • Prabowo is the frontrunner, but it’s unclear whether he will win an absolute majority of votes in the first round.

By the numbers


Voters are also casting votes in parliamentary elections, which include:
580 seats in the House of Representatives (DPR), with more than 9,900 candidates
152 seats in the Regional Representative Council (DPD), designed to represent the regions, with around 670 candidates
and local parliaments in each of the 38 provinces and 416 districts.
In total, there are over 2,700 separate electoral contests being held for around 20,500 seats. All are the responsibility of Indonesia’s independent election commission (the Komisi Pemilihan Umum, or simply KPU) to administer impartially and efficiently.

Logistical nightmare

  • The distance from Aceh in the west to Papua in the east is some 5,100 kilometres (3,200 miles), wider than the continental US.
  • Read more:
    Cute grandpa or authoritarian in waiting: who is Prabowo Subianto, the favourite to win Indonesia's presidential election?
  • To get an idea of the size of the task facing the KPU, let’s look at the presidential election first.
  • And they must also make choices for three other chambers – in addition to the presidential vote.

An unglamorous, but remarkable democratic achievement

  • So, how well has Indonesia done in this massive task of making democratic elections work?
  • In a world where democracy seems increasingly under pressure, Indonesia has managed five peaceful and democratic transfers of power.
  • In comparison to neighbouring states in Southeast Asia, where one-party dominance is widespread or democratic progress has been crushed under military coups, Indonesia stands out as a bastion of democratic politics.
  • Given the strains placed on the United States’ long-established democracy in recent years, Indonesia’s achievement in making elections work should not go unnoticed.


Stephen Sherlock does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Whoever wins the presidential election, Indonesia will remain close to China

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 9, 2024
Sustainable development, Democratic Party, Muslims, Accident, Welfare, Investment, Ice cream, Belt, Prabowo Subianto, G20, Economic development, Landslide, BRI, Toru River, Drug

The world’s third-largest democracy, Indonesia, eagerly awaits the outcome of the presidential election on Feb. 14.

Key Points: 
  • The world’s third-largest democracy, Indonesia, eagerly awaits the outcome of the presidential election on Feb. 14.
  • Baca juga:
    Indonesia's presidential election may go to run-off, despite what the polls say

    .

Why China will remain a vital partner

  • Economically, China is a significant trading partner and source of investment for Indonesia, offering considerable development funds and economic opportunities.
  • Our latest report provides insight into the candidates’ potential approaches to China if elected, based on their engagements with Chinese officials in the past.
  • Prabowo has notably engaged extensively with China, meeting several times with Xiao Qian, the former Chinese ambassador to Indonesia, between 2018 and 2022.
  • His running mate, Gibran, has had limited interactions with China himself.
  • However, he would be associated with his father’s close ties to China, which have taken precedence during his time in office.
  • Since Jokowi became prime minister, China has evolved into Indonesia’s largest trading partner and investor, with Chinese exports to Indonesia surging to $71.32 billion in 2022, up from less than $40 billion in 2014.
  • Concerns have also been raised about the Batang Toru hydropower project in Sumatra, which threatens the habitat of the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan.
  • In contrast, Anies has primarily interacted with Western countries, with limited engagement with China.

Modification of China-friendly policy

  • Baca juga:
    Mixue on the march: ice cream serves soft power for China in Southeast Asia

    .

  • By engaging with China, Indonesia aims to navigate the complexities of regional geopolitics while safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests.
  • It also has a significant position as a member of the G20 group of major economies, reflecting international confidence in its economic strength.
  • In addition, Indonesia’s strategic location makes it a crucial part of China’s BRI ambitions.


Para penulis tidak bekerja, menjadi konsultan, memiliki saham atau menerima dana dari perusahaan atau organisasi mana pun yang akan mengambil untung dari artikel ini, dan telah mengungkapkan bahwa ia tidak memiliki afiliasi di luar afiliasi akademis yang telah disebut di atas.

Indonesia’s presidential election may go to run-off, despite what the polls say

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
LSI, Authoritarianism, Projection, Anies, University, Widodo, The, Democracy, Ethics, Prosperous, PKS, Constitutional court, Prabowo Subianto

Held on Valentine’s Day, it is being touted as the world’s biggest single-day election.

Key Points: 
  • Held on Valentine’s Day, it is being touted as the world’s biggest single-day election.
  • But whether they will get enough votes to win the election outright or be forced into a runoff is still unclear.
  • Indikator’s latest projection has also slightly revised an earlier national poll showing that Prabowo is very close to winning the election outright.
  • First, a poll is simply a poll – a sampling of a tiny number of people to predict the entire population’s preferences.
  • Based on their performances so far, it is doubtful that credible polling institutes like Indikator and LSI have gotten their methods wrong.
  • Take, for example, Indikator’s prediction of the support for the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in the 2019 legislative election.
  • Thus, the total votes received by Prabowo may vary enough to prevent him from winning the election outright.
  • In the latest vice-presidential debate, for instance, Gibran faced a significant backlash from the public after disrespecting Mahfud MD, a seasoned professor much older than him.
  • Anies even brought this issue up in the first debate as a way to frame this election – obviously to his benefit.
  • Considering none of the latest polls are strongly indicating an outright Prabowo victory, a runoff in the presidential election is still likely.
  • The article has been updated to include the information about Indonesian military personnels do not have voting rights


Yohanes Sulaiman tidak bekerja, menjadi konsultan, memiliki saham, atau menerima dana dari perusahaan atau organisasi mana pun yang akan mengambil untung dari artikel ini, dan telah mengungkapkan bahwa ia tidak memiliki afiliasi selain yang telah disebut di atas.

Indonesia will hold the world's biggest single day election: here is what you need to know

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, August 5, 2023
PDI-P, House, Widodo, CSIS, Army, Gerindra Party, Prosperous Justice Party, Politics, Constitutional Court of Indonesia, Center, Islamism, Landslide, Information, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Indonesia), Student, Constitutional court, Flood, Population, Representative, Democratic Party, Communication, PKS, Ageing, Prabowo Subianto, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Anies, Nasdem Party, News, Social media, Convenience food, Film industry, Ganjar

The total number of voters expected accounts for 74% of the total population of this, Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

Key Points: 
  • The total number of voters expected accounts for 74% of the total population of this, Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
  • The registration for presidential and vice presidential candidates will be open from October 19 to November 25, 2023.
  • But already the names Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo Subianto have emerged as leading candidates who are expected to run.
  • And many have predicted that 53-year-old Anies will be the front runner in the race.
  • In a number of national surveys Prabowo comes out on top, slightly ahead of Anies and Ganjar.

The youth vote

    • A key question will be whether they are willing to participate or not.
    • But when asked about their views, the percentage of young people who declared an interest in politics was a mere 1.1%.
    • Many young voters were undecided, pessimistic about the political situation and lacking in trust of the political elite.
    • Since the number of young voters is huge, political parties and potential candidates have started to implement social media strategies to attract them.

The simultaneous election

    • The legislative elections will consist of votes to the national-level council and the House of Representatives as well as regional legislative bodies.
    • It is also burdensome for election organisers.

The system

    • This system differs from the closed proportional system previously implemented from 1971 to 1997 – where voters voted for the political parties, and then the parties internally select candidates for the legislative seats.
    • With the open proportional system, the election gives voters more power over political parties to choose who will get the seats.

Hoaxes, misinformation and social media

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2021 Showroom for New Culinary Perspectives

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 29, 2021
Retail, Restaurant, Bar, Wine & Spirits, Vacation, Destinations, Travel, Shellfish, Lung, Hand, Creativity, Industry, Element, Cheese, Prabowo Subianto, HKTB, Wood, Soap, Bread, Restaurant, Multimedia, Program, Wine, F&B, Female, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Uncertainty, Imagination, Water, Film

The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), has long been the citys annual gastronomic extravaganza.

Key Points: 
  • The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), has long been the citys annual gastronomic extravaganza.
  • This year, the festival is riding high on the citys recovery, with an exciting month-long celebration in November that includes digital events as well as physical itineraries.
  • This festival will serve as a reminder for foodies around the world that Hong Kong will continue to be at the top of the list of dining destinations in the post-COVID era.
  • For more information about the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2021, please visit www.discoverhongkong.com/winedinefestival .

Brawijaya University develops IoT-based system for melon cultivation

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, October 23, 2021
UB, Lighting, Fungus, Fruit, Nutrient, Technology, Suyadi, LED, Taste, Sunlight, Faculty, Melon, Prabowo Subianto, Honey, Time, Vegetable, Soil, Internet, Skin, Agriculture and Development, University of Brawijaya, IOT, Plant, Humidity, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering, Temperature, Lettuce, Water, Student, Agriculture, Sewage

"Drip irrigation system" implemented at the Agro Techno Park in Malang, East Java

Key Points: 
  • "Drip irrigation system" implemented at the Agro Techno Park in Malang, East Java
    Malang, East Java, Indonesia, Oct 23, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Brawijaya University (UB) has developed an internet of things (IoT)-based system for melon cultivation, currently being implemented at the Agro Techno Park in Malang, East Java.
  • The garden was developed by a team from Brawijaya University using the modern IoT farming system.
  • The application of the drip irrigation system, he said, has turned out to give maximum results to melon plants.
  • "If melon plants are cultivated using a hydroponic system, then what the student does is aeroponic cultivation of vegetables," he said.

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2021 Showroom for New Culinary Perspectives 

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Retail, Restaurant, Bar, Other Travel, Specialty, Destinations, Travel, Food, Beverage, Restaurant, Lung, Prabowo Subianto, F&B, Uncertainty, Cheese, Water, Creativity, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Multimedia, Bread, Female, HKTB, Industry, Element, Wood, Film

The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), has long been the citys annual gastronomic extravaganza.

Key Points: 
  • The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), has long been the citys annual gastronomic extravaganza.
  • This festival will serve as a bold reminder for foodies around the world that Hong Kong will continue to be at the top of the list of dining destinations in the post-COVID era.
  • A promising line-up of rising culinary stars will be spotlighted in the campaign to acknowledge the citys trendsetting talent.
  • For more information about the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2021, please visit www.discoverhongkong.com/winedinefestival .

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2021; Showroom for New Culinary Perspectives

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Restaurant, Imagination, Lung, Prabowo Subianto, F&B, Uncertainty, Cheese, Water, Creativity, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Michelin, Bread, Soap, Female, HKTB, GLOBE, Industry, Shellfish, Hand, Element, Wine, Carbon, Wood, Film

TORONTO and HONG KONG, Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), has long been the city's annual gastronomic extravaganza.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO and HONG KONG, Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), has long been the city's annual gastronomic extravaganza.
  • This festival will serve as a bold reminder for foodies around the world that Hong Kong will continue to be at the top of the list of dining destinations in the post-COVID era.
  • Despite the uncertainty, plenty of new restaurants have opened in the past year, adding to the already diverse and vibrant F&B scene.
  • For more information about the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2021, please visit www.discoverhongkong.com/winedinefestival .