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The general election in Indonesia to vote in a new president is set for February 14, 2024. The main candidates vying for the top seat are Prabowo Subianto (Gerindra Party), Anies Baswedan (Nasdem Party) and Ganjar Pranowo (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle). The incumbent, Joko Widodo, has held the office for nearly a decade.
Xi Jinping now wants the new Indonesian president to work together with China for the benefit of both nations and for regional security.
In a year full of elections, clan-dominated politics has shown the innate authoritarian streak in many democracies.
Despite a chequered past, new leader can be expected to continue his country’s good relations with China and the region under the stance of neutrality.
- Members of the group would include the country’s three living former presidents – Joko Widodo, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Megawati Soekarnoputri
- But there are limits to the former leaders working together, such as the grievances they hold for one another, analysts say
The biggest challenge for Prabowo will be in persuading the ruling party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), to join his coalition.
The president and his elder son chose not to endorse the party’s presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo during the election, the official says.
Accusations of widespread fraud and state interference rejected by Constitutional Court in 5-3 decision.
Jakarta and Beijing pledge to strengthen joint drills as Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto meets Chinese defence chief Dong Jun during his first overseas trip since winning his country’s election.
The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) plans to nominate Kaesang Pangarep, 29, for Jakarta’s gubernatorial race in November – even though he does not meet the minimum age requirement.
The former general, who will take office in October after his sweeping victory was confirmed last week, has been invited by President Xi Jinping.
The congratulatory messages came as Prabowo’s two rivals said they would issue constitutional challenges over the result, citing allegations of irregularities and fraud.
The outgoing president may quit his party of two decades, after his tacit support for Prabowo Subianto in the election left the PDI-P with an “axe to grind”.
The Election Commission last week stopped displaying its ongoing official vote tally online, sparking criticism from activists, watchdogs and backers of Prabowo’s rivals.
Presumptive president-elect Prabowo Subianto projects 8 per cent growth for Indonesia in the next five years, at a time when the country is facing economic headwinds.
Such an investigation could look at the neutrality of the security forces and distribution of politically motivated social aid, an analyst says.
Readers discuss what the Indonesian election outcome means for the US and China, and why art is dying.
Indonesia recently called on the ICJ to deliver an advisory opinion to stop Israel’s ‘unlawful occupation’ in the Gaza Strip.
Indonesian LGBTQ folk in Australia say they are grateful to be living in a place which acknowledges their rights as part of a sexual minority.
Some older Indonesians warn against the trend, highlighting the dangers they went through during Suharto’s rule.
The president-elect had previously admitted to being involved in the kidnapping of student democracy activists during the riots.
Questions have been raised about the former general’s possible role in 1998 anti-Chinese riots, but analysts believe he will want strong ties with Beijing.
Several analysts say Prabowo is unlikely to do anything to upend the economic cooperation that outgoing president Joko Widodo has established with China over the years.
Defence minister with a combative past is expected to take a stronger stand on foreign policy.
Prabowo’s camp says it is ‘confident’ the defence minister has earned a one-round victory over his rivals, Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan.
The outcome of the three-way race could be determined by the turnout of voters for their respective candidates, analysts say.
