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The former governor of Jakarta was elected Indonesian president in 2014 before winning a second term in 2019. Colloquially known as Jokowi, he has cast himself as an economic reformer committed to reducing red tape while also seeking foreign investment for major infrastructure projects. Security issues remain a priority as Indonesia continues to combat Islamic militancy. Widodo will also oversee the movement of the Indonesian capital from Jakarta to a new city in Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
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.
Critics accuse President Joko Widodo of helping to cover up his defence minister’s alleged human rights violations to strengthen their political alliance.
The president-elect had previously admitted to being involved in the kidnapping of student democracy activists during the riots.
Without providing evidence, both losing camps complained of voter intimidation, manipulation of state institutions, and misuse of state resources during the campaign period to sway the Indonesian election.
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.
Widodo’s pragmatic approach created a stable political climate and economic growth, but critics say democracy and human rights have regressed under his rule
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.
Controversies have dogged this election cycle, especially of President Joko Widodo’s influence over state institutions for his preferred candidate Prabowo Subianto.
The ex-general and long-time presidential hopeful could win Indonesia’s top job without the need for a second round of voting, according to the polls – but much will depend on voter turnout.
Days before Indonesians vote for their first new president in a decade, opinion polls favour the ex-general bent on continuing an economic strategy anchored on business ties to China while vowing to sustain a more neutral foreign policy stance between Washington and Beijing.
Indonesia’s presidential hopefuls spent a frenzied final day of campaigning on Saturday, with front runner Prabowo Subianto using his rally to air grievances about ‘foreign nations’ sowing division.
President Joko Widodo has been accused of meddling in the February 14 election, in which Prabowo Subianto named Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his running mate.
Indonesia may have to boost diplomatic ties with Israel or leverage its relationship with OECD nations to hasten its application to join the group, analysts say.
The head of the General Elections Commission has been found guilty of not amending a rule before accepting Gibran’s election registration.
The presidential front runner denied making a ‘very cruel’ comment on voters’ intelligence, as he fended off questions about women’s rights and his multibillion-dollar plan to provide free meals.
With days to go before the February 14 polls, a clear win for the ruling party’s presidential pick appears all but impossible.
The physical ecosystem, laws and bureaucracy to support the country’s tech goals such as Nusantara are lacking, analysts say.
Controversy around his remarks also reflected widening rift in Widodo’s cabinet, with speculation that some of his ministers are considering resigning over the president’s election meddling.
Popular rock band Slank’s high-profile snub to President Joko Widodo marks a departure from its staunch support over the past decade.
Gibran Rakabuming quizzed fellow vice-presidential contenders on ‘difficult’ questions such as greenflation and lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Jakarta is proposing to sell anti-submarine aircraft to Manila even as it expresses interest in acquiring Chinese naval missiles.
Muhaimin Iskandar, the running mate of presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, said the government’s “downstreaming” policy had caused major environmental damage without significantly benefiting locals.
While Prabowo tops opinion polls, his stagnating numbers and a potential alliance between his rivals could deny him an outright victory despite Widodo’s ‘partiality’.