Indonesian Defense Minister with Controversial Past Wins in Presidential Election
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto emerged as the winner of the recent presidential election in Indonesia, securing 58.6% of the votes. His victory was declared over two former governors, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, who have expressed intentions to contest the outcome due to alleged irregularities.
Subianto, who has faced accusations of past abuses under the dictatorship, emphasized unity in his post-election statements, urging all Indonesians to come together for the nation’s future challenges.
The election saw a significant voter turnout of about 80%, with Subianto winning in 36 out of 38 provinces and receiving 96.2 million votes. The losing candidates have raised concerns about fraud, particularly regarding the candidacy of Widodo’s son as Subianto’s running mate, suggesting a perceived bias towards Subianto.
Challenges to the election results are expected to be filed in court within three days following the official announcement. The new president is set to be inaugurated on October 20 and will need to appoint a Cabinet within two weeks.
Background of Prabowo Subianto and his alleged links to human rights abuses
Prabowo Subianto, the Indonesian Defense Minister and presidential candidate, has a controversial background with alleged links to human rights abuses. He has faced accusations of involvement in the disappearances of pro-democracy activists during the reign of Suharto, Indonesia’s former dictator.
These allegations resurfaced during debates and campaigns, highlighting his role as a commander in the army during a tumultuous period in Indonesian history. Prabowo was dismissed from the military amid speculation of rights abuses and exiled in Jordan.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, he has been accused of kidnapping activists and other human rights violations. His association with Suharto’s regime and the military’s actions during that time have raised concerns among human rights activists and observers about his suitability for leadership.
The allegations against Prabowo have been a significant point of contention in his political career, with critics questioning his past actions and their implications for Indonesia’s democracy and human rights landscape.
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