Indonesia’s Eras: Reflections on Jokowi’s Legacy and Prabowo’s Presidency
BROOKINGS
APLN member Natalie Sambhi writes a commentary on the political legacy of the Indonesian President Joko Widodo. She also explores the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the next President Prabowo takes office.
Aside from trade, Indonesia under Prabowo will continue to be a nonaligned state, balancing its relations with all great and emerging powers. Pragmatism dictates that Prabowo will maintain steady ties with both Beijing and Washington. Indonesia’s military has been a willing security partner of all states, particularly Indo-Pacific ones with advanced capabilities. As such, Indo-Pacific security actors should be prepared to build on existing defense cooperation and military engagement activities as well as encourage Indonesia’s ability to lead greater intra-ASEAN capacity in humanitarian assistance. That is an area where civilian agencies and defense forces in Australia, Japan, and the United States have key roles to play.
The future looks bright for Indonesia in many ways; the country has maintained high levels of economic growth, even during the pandemic, and has a youthful population full of creativity and resilience, abundant natural resources, and geostrategic circumstances that render it an essential regional player.
But behind this hope, there are questions about the legacies of this era. Jokowi has done much for the country, which he leaves now in Prabowo’s hands, but has also unwound many of the hard-won gains of the Reformasi era. Will Prabowo deliver on Jokowi’s promises or take the country in a different direction? Only time will tell.
The original article can be accessed here.
Image:Indonesia’s Defense Minister and leading presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto delivers his speech alongside his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and currently Surakarta’s mayor, as they claim victory after unofficial vote counts during an event to watch the results of the general election in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 14, 2024. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
