Former general linked to former dictatorship, Prabowo Subianto elected as Indonesia's next president

The country Indonesia has elected Prabowo Subianto as its eighth president. All though his past has a history of human rights violations and many controversies that will pose a challenge to his tenure.

 Who is Prabowo Subianto?

Indonesia, holds the world's largest Muslim-population. Meanwhile Prabowo Subianto  has been elected Indonesia  as eighth president. Howvever  73-year-old Prabowo has taken the oath of office by placing his hand on the 'Quran' in front of the country's MPs and dignitaries invited from other countries. Even though, there are also many shadows of his political journey and past, which will become a topic of discussion with the beginning of this new era.

Took oath as President by placing his hand on the Quran

Prabowo Subianto has won a big victory in the presidential election with the support of Joko Widodo. During his election campaign, he  has promised to push forward Indonesia's new multi-billion dollar capital project and ban the export of raw materials to boost domestic industry.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Prabowo Subianto addressed the people of Indonesia, saying that he is fully committed to taking the country on a new path of development. His goal is to make Indonesia economically stable.

Is a name of fear-Prabowo Subianto

While the name of Prabowo Subianto strikes fear into the minds of most Indonesian citizens.  A;; though there was a time when people were intimidated by his power and influence. He has faced allegations of human rights violations and involvement in many anti-social activities. Prabowo, a former special forces commander, has now become president, and the expectations of the countrymen have also increased significantly during his tenure.

His father was a renowned economist who served in Indonesia's Cabinet. His family's political history and his education gave him a special perspective. When his father fled the country amid controversy in 1957, Prabowo spent many years of his childhood in exile in Europe Countries .

Beginning of his military career

Prabowo Subianto  join the military in Indonesia. And very soon earned a promotion to captain in Indonesia's elite special forces, Kopassus. Though Prabowo career had already been marred by allegations, particularly of human rights violations in East Timor. Although his exact role in these events could not be proven, the allegations against him continued to cast a shadow over his career.

He married the daughter of dictator Suharto and became one of his close associates. In the late 1990s, when Suharto's regime ended, he was accused of kidnapping more than 20 student activists. Many of these students are still missing today and are feared murdered. Survivors of the kidnappings have accused Prabowo and his military of torture.

Prabowo  dismissed from the army

Meanwhile after being dismissed from the army in 1998, Prabowo had to spend self-exile in Jordan. A travel ban was imposed against him in Australia. But in 2019, he returned to the country and was appointed as the Defense Minister. His return further strengthened him from a political point of view.

Prabowo's swearing-in ceremony was attended by leaders from more than 40 countries. The presence of representatives from Britain, the US, Russia, and other Southeast Asian countries further strengthened his position.

Earlier Prabowo was defeated two times

Even though he  contested the presidential election twice against former President Joko Widodo but lost. Widodo later appointed Prabowo as Defense Minister. During his election campaign, he promised to continue key policies such as building a new capital city at a cost of several billion dollars, developing domestic industry, and curbing the export of raw materials.

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Now that Prabowo has become the President, he will have to face many challenges. It will not be easy for him to face the allegations of human rights violations and implement his new policies. He will also have to deal with the controversies that have arisen earlier regarding his image.

The story of Prabowo Subianto is a complex political journey, which includes a journey from military dictatorship to becoming the President. After his swearing in as President, the expectations of the countrymen have increased even more. Now it remains to be seen whether he is able to wash away the stains of his past and build a new and better Indonesia or not.