Prabowo Subianto sworn in as Indonesia’s eighth President

Former special forces commander Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as Indonesia’s eighth president, marking the culmination of a sweeping electoral victory earlier this year.

At 73, Prabowo assumes leadership of the world’s third-largest democracy, succeeding Joko Widodo (Jokowi) after a decade of steady economic growth and infrastructure expansion.

Prabowo’s victory, with nearly 60% of the vote in the February 14 election, was largely driven by his promises of continuity, but with an ambitious focus on human capital development and social welfare.

His running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 37-year-old son of Jokowi, played a key role in securing support among younger voters, further strengthening Prabowo’s appeal.

In his inaugural address at the Indonesian parliament, Prabowo vowed to tackle corruption and address pressing socio-economic issues such as malnutrition, job shortages, and neglected schools.

"We must unite to eliminate poverty and hunger, and improve the lives of all Indonesians," he said, calling for courage to confront Indonesia’s internal challenges.

Prabowo, known for his fiery nationalist rhetoric, outlined plans to significantly boost economic growth, aiming to lift Indonesia’s GDP growth rate from 5% to 8% over the next several years.

His key policy initiatives include a $28 billion program to provide free meals for schoolchildren and pregnant women, which he claims will create jobs and help reduce the country’s 9% poverty rate.

The program, set to launch in early 2025, has faced questions over its feasibility given Indonesia's fiscal deficit limit, but Prabowo’s team insists it is central to improving the nation’s human capital.

During his campaign, Prabowo positioned himself as the "continuity candidate" but with a bold economic vision aimed at accelerating development.

While his predecessor Jokowi focused heavily on infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and airports, Prabowo has signaled a shift toward addressing basic needs and human capital.

He has promised to make Indonesia self-sufficient in the production of key staples and is pushing for major reforms in agriculture and food security.

His "food estate" program aims to transform underutilized lands into productive agricultural hubs, especially in regions like Papua, where the government hopes to foster self-reliance in bioethanol production.

Another major focus for Prabowo is boosting Indonesia's industrial output. He has voiced support for policies that enhance Indonesia's role in the global supply chain, especially in industries like electric vehicle (EV) batteries, where the country’s vast nickel reserves provide a critical advantage.

Indonesia's strategic nickel resources, essential for EV production, make it a key player in the future of global energy, and Prabowo’s administration has expressed its intent to further restrict raw nickel exports, ensuring that domestic industries benefit from downstream processing.

However, Prabowo’s vision is not without its challenges. Critics argue that his social spending plans, including the free meal program, may strain the country’s fiscal resources.

Indonesia’s budget deficit is legally capped at 3% of GDP, raising questions about how his government will balance ambitious welfare projects with fiscal responsibility.

In the international arena, Prabowo has emphasized continuity in Indonesia’s non-aligned foreign policy while expressing an intent to be bolder on the global stage.

His first foreign trip after winning the election was to China, signaling the importance of Beijing as a strategic partner. China is one of Indonesia's largest foreign investors, particularly in the infrastructure and mining sectors, and Prabowo is keen on strengthening those ties while attracting further investment from other major powers.

Prabowo’s early foreign policy decisions reflect his desire to elevate Indonesia’s role in Southeast Asia and beyond. He has outlined plans to pursue stronger ties with Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, with the aim of expanding Indonesia’s influence in regional security, trade, and energy.

His administration is expected to continue Jokowi’s push for resource nationalism, especially in sectors like mining and energy, as Indonesia seeks to gain more control over its natural resources.

Prabowo’s inauguration was marked by heightened security across the capital, with 100,000 police and military personnel deployed, including riot squads, snipers, and anti-drone teams.

The streets of Jakarta were filled with tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters, celebrating both Prabowo’s victory and Jokowi’s legacy. Posters of Prabowo and his running mate Gibran lined the route from parliament to the presidential palace, where a formal handover ceremony took place.

Despite his nationalist image and focus on economic growth, Prabowo’s presidency is shadowed by past allegations of human rights abuses.

During his time as a special forces commander, he was accused of involvement in the kidnapping and disappearance of pro-democracy activists in the late 1990s.

Though Prabowo has denied these allegations, they remain a point of concern for human rights advocates both within Indonesia and internationally.

His controversial military background led to travel restrictions from countries like the United States and Australia in the past, though these have since been lifted.

As Prabowo embarks on his presidency, he faces the dual challenge of fulfilling his promises of economic transformation while addressing concerns about governance, democracy, and human rights.

His administration will likely walk a tightrope between ambitious reforms and managing the country’s fiscal constraints.

The upcoming months will provide a clearer picture of Prabowo’s leadership style, particularly with regard to his cabinet appointments and his first national budget.

With Indonesia’s status as the world’s fourth most populous country and its growing importance in global energy markets, Prabowo’s presidency will have significant implications not just for Indonesia’s future but for Southeast Asia and the broader international community.