Indonesia’s Presidential Election Concludes with No Major Issues Reported
Indonesia, one of the world’s largest democracies, has successfully concluded its presidential election with no major problems reported. The election, which took place on Wednesday, saw Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and two former provincial governors vying for the presidency. The official results will be announced in about a month, but an unofficial outcome is expected to be issued within the day by certified quick-count outlets.
With nearly 205 million eligible voters, the turnout for the election is not yet known. However, the logistics of the vote were challenging, with ballot boxes and ballots being transported by various means, including boats, motorcycles, horses, and even on foot in remote locations. Despite these challenges, authorities expect the election to be largely peaceful.
The front-runner in the presidential race is Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is the only candidate with ties to the Suharto era. Subianto, a former special forces commander, has been accused of human rights atrocities, which he vehemently denies. Two other candidates, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, are also vying for the presidency.
The outgoing president, Joko Widodo, who is immensely popular, has served two terms in office and has been instrumental in driving Indonesia’s impressive economic growth and ambitious infrastructure projects. One of these projects includes the transfer of the nation’s capital from Jakarta to the frontier island of Borneo at a cost exceeding $30 billion.
The outcome of the election has high stakes not only for Indonesia but also for the United States and China. Indonesia’s huge domestic market, abundant natural resources, and diplomatic influence in Southeast Asia make it an important player on the global stage.
For Indonesian voters, the hope is that the next leader will bring greater prosperity to a country where nearly a tenth of the population still lives in poverty. “I hope Indonesia can progress better and that I did not vote for the wrong person,” said Indra Nurohim, a 17-year-old high school student and first-time voter. “I hope we will have a better government.”
The presidential race will go to a runoff on June 26 if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes. Subianto, the oldest candidate at 72, lost in two previous runs against Widodo but is now the front-runner based on independent surveys. He has chosen Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his vice-presidential running mate, a move that could boost his chances given the outgoing president’s popularity.
However, Subianto’s past has raised concerns among human rights activists. He was a commander in the army special forces during the Suharto era and was dishonorably discharged in 1998 after forces under his command kidnapped and tortured political opponents. Several activists remain missing to this day, and their families continue to demand justice.
During the campaign period, Subianto and his strategists used AI and social media platforms like TikTok to soften his image and appeal to younger voters. He promised to generate nearly 20 million jobs in his first term if elected.
Anies Baswedan, a former head of an Islamic university and governor of Jakarta until last year, is another candidate vying for the presidency. He opposes Widodo’s plan to move the Indonesian capital from Jakarta to Borneo, citing concerns about environmental destruction.
Ganjar Pranowo, the ruling party candidate, does not have Widodo’s support but has a strong political background. He served as a national legislator for the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle before being elected as governor of Central Java region.
Under Widodo’s leadership, Indonesia has experienced remarkable economic growth, with an average annual growth rate of 5%. His economic roadmap, called “Golden Indonesia 2045,” envisions Indonesia becoming one of the world’s top five economies with a GDP of up to $9 trillion by 2045.
As Indonesia awaits the official results of the election, the country stands at a crucial juncture in its history. The new president will inherit a thriving economy and ambitious development projects, but also the challenges of poverty alleviation and maintaining democratic values. The world will be watching as Indonesia moves forward into a new era of leadership and growth.