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For now, no one doubts that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo continues to play the role of kingmaker for President-elect Prabowo Subianto. The outgoing president is preparing for the transfer of power in October and appears to be doing everything he can to ensure a smooth transition and a soft landing for himself.
Jokowi’s conferring on Prabowo the title of honorary four-star general on Wednesday appears to be part of a grand plan for Prabowo’s accession to the throne. As a shrewd politician, Jokowi understands that this honor will give Mr. Prabowo a sense of dignity and legitimacy that will serve him well in the presidency, and he has called for widespread criticism to ensure the former military man gets the honor. I was willing to endure it.
Prabowo’s checkered past, particularly his association with multiple human rights abuses, contributed to his consecutive defeats to Jokowi in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections. Complicity in the kidnappings of democratic activists in 1997 and 1998 cost long-time dictator Suharto (then Prabowo’s father-in-law) his military career after a reform movement forced him to resign in 1998. Ta.
The United States banned Mr. Prabowo from entering the country, partly because he was linked to human rights violations in East Timor (now East Timor). Washington quietly lifted the ban after Jokowi appointed Prabowo as defense minister in 2019.
In the run-up to the February 14 election, Mr. Prabowo’s rivals tried to play the human rights card, but surprisingly it did not work. That’s in part because of a massive social media campaign targeting young voters that painted the former Army general as a “bad guy.” Adorable, “cute” grandfather.
Jokowi said the honorary rank was given to Prabowo in recognition of his dedication to his people, country and nation. He said Prabowo was supposed to receive the honor two years ago when the Indonesian military (TNI) was led by Andika Perkasa, who had joined rival presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo’s campaign team for this year’s presidential election. added.
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President Jokowi’s decision to award Prabowo the rank every military cadet dreams of contradicts his pledge to resolve past human rights violations. And when Mr. Prabowo takes office in October, despite his promises to protect human rights, the prospects for the country to heal old wounds are bleak.
Many wonder why Jokowi needs to restore Prabowo’s military pride after the outgoing president used all the powers at his disposal to help the defense minister win the presidential election convincingly. I’m wondering why he decided that. President Jokowi is said to be seeking a final national budget slot to help realize Prabowo’s campaign promise of free lunches for students, but the Jokowi-Prabowo alliance does not offer free lunches to students. Lunch doesn’t exist.
For Jokowi, a former businessman, Prabowo is a huge investment calculated to yield huge profits. In the short term, Prabowo will have to pay dividends by accepting Jokowi supporters into his cabinet or giving Jokowi’s eldest son and incoming vice president, Gibran Rakabumin Raka, a prominent role in the government. It won’t happen.
Members of Prabowo Gibran’s election campaign team confirmed that Jokowi will play an “important” role in forming the next cabinet. This is unprecedented and controversial, but some argue there is nothing wrong with it, as Prabowo himself campaigned on a promise to continue Jokowi’s plans and policies. There are some too.
However, even if the reality is often far from the ideal, the fact remains that Indonesia is not a monarchy, but a republic with democratic principles. Therefore, it is safe to say that the incoming government has no legal obligation to follow the outgoing government’s orders.
No matter what kind of political agreement Mr. Jokowi and Mr. Prabowo reach, they must not hold the next government hostage. Mr. Prabowo’s duty to his people exceeds his duty to his patrons. For his part, Jokowi must limit himself to supporting a smooth transfer of power, rather than controlling the process.
Mr. Prabowo may deeply respect Mr. Jokowi, but once in power he must step out of the shadow of his sponsors.
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