Prabowo May Have Different Policies from Jokowi, Say Political Observers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Presidential candidate pair Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka dominate the official vote count for the 2024 presidential election according to the General Elections Commission's (KPU) real count, which has reached 74.21 percent of the vote tally as of 9 pm today, Feb. 21. 

Referring to the KPU’s election page, Prabowo-Gibran garnered 58.81 percent of the national vote, ahead of his two rivals Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar with 24.14 percent and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD with 17.05 percent.

Although the official result hasn't been announced yet, Prabowo gave a victory speech in Istora Senayan, Jakarta, after the quick count was completed on the voting day on Feb. 14.

The 72-year-old former army general is poised to be the next leader of one of the world’s largest democracies. “The most important objective of democracy is giving people the leaders and representatives they want,” he told reporters in a press conference at his private swimming pool, as quoted from CNN. “I hope all parties understand the larger goal.”

Prabowo has served as defense minister for the past five years. His campaign focused on continuing Jokowi’s projects and policies.

However, according to several political observers as cited from CNN, Jokowi and Prabowo have significant differences in political direction and personality.

Zachary Abuza, a professor in Southeast Asian politics and security issues at the National War College in Washington DC, recalled that Jokowi was like Barack Obama when he won the election back in 2014 as he was the first elected president in Indonesian history without ties to the political or military elite.

As for Prabowo, Abuza opined that the man would view problems through a military lens.

Experts predicted that Prabowo, who is renowned for his ‘fiery speeches, military background, and combative past’ will be a totally different kind of president. They saw Prabowo as more vocal compared to Jokowi who is known for his ‘calm and conciliatory demeanor’.

“While he (Prabowo) might not have the same crassness or brashness of politicians like Rodrigo Duterte, Javier Milei, or Trump, his politics replace concern for law and order with a preference for order over the law,” said Tom Pepinsky, professor of government and director of the Southeast Asia Program at Cornell University. 

On that basis, political watchers believed that Prabowo would have different priorities than Jokowi in leading Indonesia.

“I can definitely see Prabowo going into the ranks of retired army officers and generals for many of his advisers and cabinet officials. But a bigger concern is if he accelerates the return of a dual function role for the military,” Abuza added.

DEWI RINA CAHYANI | CNN 

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