Prabowo subianto’s First 100 Days: A Mixed Report Card for Indonesia’s New President
When former army general Prabowo Subianto won Indonesia’s presidential election in February 2024 with a landslide victory, the question on everyone’s mind was: what kind of leader woudl he be? Now, 100 days into his presidency, the answer remains elusive. From foreign policy shifts to domestic initiatives, Prabowo’s early tenure has been marked by both bold moves and puzzling missteps, leaving observers with a mixed report card.
A New Chapter in Foreign Policy: Joining BRICS
One of the most critically important developments under Prabowo’s leadership has been Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS, the bloc originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Earlier this month, Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian country to sign on, a move that has sparked both intrigue and concern. Critics argue that aligning with BRICS could signal a broader tilt away from the West, while others worry about the risks of tying Indonesia’s economic fortunes to less stable partners.
Foreign Minister Sugiono, a close ally of Prabowo rather than a career diplomat, has championed the “free and active” foreign policy doctrine. This approach, as explained by Aswin Ariyanto Azis of universitas Brawijaya, allows Indonesia to “collaborate widely without aligning too closely with any single bloc.” However, the decision to join BRICS has raised questions about whether this policy is truly free—or simply confused.
ASEAN Leadership in Question
While ASEAN remains the cornerstone of Indonesia’s foreign policy, Prabowo’s management has shown signs of stepping back from it’s conventional leadership role. Last month, Sugiono notably skipped a Thailand-led initiative to address the Myanmar crisis, opting to send high-level staff instead. This move was seen as a snub, especially since other member states like singapore and Malaysia sent their ministers.
commentator Dewi Fortuna Anwar described Indonesia as the “de facto leader of ASEAN,” making Sugiono’s absence all the more puzzling. This comes just months after prabowo made controversial statements about the South China Sea, further muddying the waters of Indonesia’s foreign policy.
Domestic Ambitions: The Free lunch Program
On the domestic front,Prabowo has delivered on one of his key campaign promises: the launch of a school-based free lunch program for children. The initiative, aimed at addressing child malnutrition, was rolled out this month after 18 months of anticipation. Though, Prabowo’s absence from the launch events raised eyebrows. rather, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and a host of ministers took center stage, showcasing the program for both traditional media and their own social media teams.
A Confused Start?
prabowo’s first 100 days have been a mix of ambition and ambiguity. from joining BRICS to stepping back from ASEAN leadership,his foreign policy has been described as “free,active,and confused.” Meanwhile, domestic initiatives like the free lunch program show promise but are overshadowed by questions about his hands-off approach.
As Indonesia navigates this new chapter, one thing is clear: Prabowo’s presidency is anything but predictable.
| Key Highlights of Prabowo’s First 100 days |
|———————————————–|
| Foreign Policy |
| – Joined BRICS, becoming the first Southeast Asian member |
| – Snubbed Thailand-led ASEAN meeting on Myanmar |
| – Controversial statements on the South China Sea |
| Domestic Initiatives |
| – Launched school-based free lunch program |
| – Absent from program launch events |
What lies ahead for Indonesia under Prabowo’s leadership? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the world is watching.Prabowo’s presidency has been marked by a mix of personal investment in specific policies and sudden reversals on others, raising questions about his leadership style and priorities. One notable example was the abrupt cancellation of a planned one per cent increase to the Value Added Tax (VAT), which was set to take effect on 1 January 2025. The decision came after widespread public outcry, with student-led protests taking to the streets and online, citing cost-of-living pressures. Business groups also voiced concerns, arguing that raising the VAT to 12 per cent would significantly impact production costs.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who had been advocating for the VAT hike for months, found herself at the center of this policy shift. Having previously served in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s cabinet, her retention was seen as a signal of continuity for the business community. The VAT increase, outlined in a 2021 regulation, was intended to align with this continuity. However, Prabowo ultimately yielded to critics, abandoning the broad VAT hike and instead focusing on a progressive tax targeting luxury goods. This pivot,supported by Sri Mulyani and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto,aims to ensure that wealthier Indonesians bear the brunt of the tax burden,with the revenue earmarked to fund initiatives like free school lunches.
this approach stands in stark contrast to Jokowi’s early presidency. Just months after his 2014 inauguration, Jokowi implemented a controversial cut to the fuel subsidy, a policy inherited from the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono era. Despite facing protests and higher inflation rates than those seen today, Jokowi managed to weather the storm, demonstrating a willingness to push through unpopular economic measures.
Prabowo’s first 100 days in office may pale in comparison to the potential impact of his future decisions. Last month, he proposed abolishing regional direct elections, suggesting instead that local legislatures appoint these roles. This proposal has sparked fears among democracy advocates and rights watchers, who see it as a potential step toward authoritarianism. Prabowo-aligned parties have already indicated they would at least “consider” the plan,which would require a revision of the elections law—a law already slated for deliberation this year.
| Key Policy Shifts Under Prabowo | Details |
|————————————-|————-|
| VAT Increase Cancellation | Abandoned a 1% VAT hike due to public and business opposition. |
| Progressive Tax on Luxury Goods | Shifted focus to taxing luxury items, targeting wealthier Indonesians. |
| Proposal to Abolish Direct Elections | Suggested replacing regional direct elections with appointments by local legislatures. |
As Prabowo navigates these challenges,his presidency continues to draw scrutiny.Will his focus on specific policies and willingness to reverse course lead to effective governance, or will it fuel concerns about his leadership style? Only time will tell.
Prabowo Subianto’s First 100 Days: A Conversation on Indonesia’s Policy Shifts
indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s first 100 days in office have been a mix of bold initiatives, unexpected reversals, and growing scrutiny. From his decision to join BRICS to his domestic focus on progressive taxation and controversial proposals to abolish regional direct elections,Prabowo’s leadership has sparked both optimism and concern. In this interview, Senior Editor of World Today News, Sarah Mitchell, sits down with Dr. Arjuna Wijaya, a leading political economist and expert on Indonesian governance, to dissect these developments and their implications for Indonesia’s future.
BRICS Membership: A Strategic Shift or a Risky Gamble?
Sarah Mitchell: Dr. wijaya, Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS has been one of the most talked-about moves in Prabowo’s early presidency. What’s your take on this decision?
Dr. Arjuna Wijaya: It’s certainly a significant shift in foreign policy. BRICS membership offers Indonesia opportunities to diversify its economic partnerships and leverage new trade and investment channels. However, it also comes with risks. BRICS includes countries like Russia and China, which have complex geopolitical relationships with the West. Indonesia’s traditional “free and active” foreign policy may face challenges in balancing these ties.
Sarah Mitchell: Do you think this signals a tilt away from the West?
Dr. Arjuna Wijaya: It’s too early to say definitively. While joining BRICS dose suggest a desire for greater autonomy, Indonesia’s foreign policy has always been about pragmatism. The key will be how Prabowo navigates this balancing act in the coming months.
Domestic Policy: Progressive Taxation and Free School Lunches
Sarah Mitchell: On the domestic front, Prabowo has shifted toward taxing wealthier Indonesians and launched a free school lunch program.How significant are these moves?
Dr. Arjuna Wijaya: The progressive tax on luxury goods is a step toward addressing income inequality,and the free school lunch program is a commendable initiative to tackle child malnutrition. Though, their long-term success will depend on effective implementation and ensuring that the benefits reach those who need them most.
Sarah Mitchell: There’s been some criticism of Prabowo’s absence from the program’s launch events. Is this a sign of a disengaged leader?
Dr. Arjuna Wijaya: Not necessarily. Prabowo has shown a tendency to delegate, which can be both a strength and a weakness. While it allows for broader involvement from his team, it can also raise questions about his personal commitment to key initiatives.
The Proposal to Abolish Regional Direct Elections
Sarah Mitchell: One of the most controversial proposals in Prabowo’s first 100 days is his suggestion to abolish regional direct elections in favor of appointments by local legislatures. What’s your assessment of this idea?
dr. Arjuna Wijaya: This proposal has understandably sparked concerns about democratic backsliding. Regional direct elections have been a cornerstone of Indonesia’s decentralization and democratization efforts as 1998.replacing them with appointments could undermine local accountability and fuel fears of authoritarianism.
Sarah Mitchell: Do you think this proposal will gain traction?
Dr. Arjuna Wijaya: It’s hard to say. Prabowo-aligned parties have indicated they’ll “consider” the plan, but it faces significant opposition from democracy advocates and civil society. The upcoming revision of the elections law will be a critical moment to watch.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Sarah Mitchell: As we look ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for Prabowo’s presidency?
Dr. Arjuna Wijaya: The challenges are twofold: maintaining a balanced foreign policy while ensuring domestic initiatives deliver tangible results. The opportunities lie in leveraging Indonesia’s strategic position and economic potential to drive inclusive growth. Prabowo’s ability to navigate these complexities will define his presidency.
Sarah Mitchell: Thank you, Dr. Wijaya, for your insightful analysis.It’s clear that Prabowo’s first 100 days have set the stage for a transformative, albeit unpredictable, presidency.
