Jakarta, Indonesia – On February 14, greater than 204 million Indonesians can have the prospect to vote for his or her new president.
Incumbent Joko Widodo is in his second and ultimate time period, and is constitutionally barred from in search of re-election.
Voters have a alternative between three presidential candidates – Anies Baswedan, the previous governor of Jakarta, Ganjar Pranowo, the previous governor of Central Java, and Protection Minister Prabowo Subianto.
A number of polls point out that Prabowo has a snug lead over his opponents.
Prabowo tried twice to change into president of Indonesia – and misplaced each instances to Widodo.
Since 2019, he has served as protection minister in Widodo's cupboard.
His operating mate is 36-year-old Gibran Raka Bumingraka, the president's eldest son.
However victory remains to be not a certainty. If no candidate can safe at the very least 50 % of the vote, a second spherical of voting can be held in June.
Whereas Prabowo is the preferred candidate, he’s additionally polarizing. Allegations of a long time of human rights abuses throughout his time within the army have been raised by rivals and rights organizations.
On the final day of the marketing campaign on Saturday, Prabowo held a rally on the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, the place he addressed 1000’s of supporters.
Backstage, the 72-year-old met with Al Jazeera Asia Correspondent Jessica Washington for an unique interview, sharing his ideas on why younger voters have been drawn to his marketing campaign and the way he plans to win over critics.
Al Jazeera: It's the final day of the marketing campaign. Do you’re feeling assured that you would be able to win this election in a single go?
Prabowo Subianto: All of the figures present so … the keenness of the grassroots. All of the figures present that we’re going directly.
Al Jazeera: The passion of younger individuals has been a key a part of the marketing campaign. What’s your message to your younger supporters?
Prabowo Subianto: Younger individuals immediately, they’re extra rational, they’re extra important, they’re extra clever, they really feel what’s real and what’s not real.
I believe they’re very involved about their future, so those that have a great program and a great technique, those that have good commitments, are those that younger individuals can establish with and might assist.
Al Jazeera: Is there something particular about your marketing campaign that appeals to younger individuals? As a result of your opponents might say that it’s due to the dances of Tiktok, the posters of the cartoons. Is there a selected coverage that appeals to younger individuals?
Prabowo Subianto: My insurance policies are very rational, logical, with a typical sense strategy that’s primarily based on all of the work of our predecessors.
Nation constructing just isn’t a two-year factor, a five-year factor. It’s a interval of 1 era or two generations.
We should use and construct on every little thing that has been constructed by our predecessors. That’s the reason individuals from all walks of life, most of them get my message and assist us. Should you perceive to construct one thing, it’s essential to do it on a powerful base after which construct on the success. Brick by stone, stone by stone.
Al Jazeera: Clearly you might have many supporters, however there are additionally sturdy critics. Should you win this election, additionally, you will be its president. How will you navigate this?
Prabowo Subianto: I’ll work for the great of Indonesia. Not for a sure section.
I attempted this, when the final election, I misplaced badly within the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). However once I grew to become Minister of Protection, I constructed one of many largest and greatest polytechnics. Within the province the place I misplaced.
Do you perceive? I don't consider in short-term considering, short-term considering. I wish to assume large and long run.
Al Jazeera: Excited about the massive image, how do you understand Indonesia's position on the world stage, in the event you change into president?
Prabowo Subianto: The great fortune we inherited from our founding fathers is the philosophy of non-alignment.
Indonesia respects all international locations, respects all nice powers.
We wish to have nice relationships with everybody. We don't wish to be a part of a block towards one other block. Our place is sort of distinctive. We’re associates with everybody. In any battle or competitors, we’re those who could be accepted by all sides.
Al Jazeera: What does Gibran carry to this collaboration, when it comes to abilities and expertise?
Prabowo Subianto: Greater than 50 % of our voters are beneath the age of fifty. Younger individuals, they’re dynamic, savvy, and they’re important.
Should you discover, the very fact that there’s a vp beneath the age of 40, that is regular in lots of western international locations. In Indonesia it has change into a form of downside, not as a result of he’s beneath 40 years previous, however as a result of he’s the son of President Joko Widodo, which makes some circles really feel dangerous. However that's politics. You possibly can't please everybody on a regular basis.
Al Jazeera: What is going to Indonesia appear to be beneath your presidency?
Prabowo Subianto: I hope Indonesia can be dynamic, economically higher. However most significantly, I wish to finish poverty. I wish to eliminate starvation. I wish to eliminate stunting for Indonesian kids. The figures are usually not so good, at the very least 25 % of the youngsters are stunted, within the peripheral areas. However even in West Java, there are kids who don’t eat properly.
Al Jazeera: It's one factor to say they’ll assist you within the polls, and to indicate up at marketing campaign occasions. It’s a totally different matter on the subject of truly holding the demonstration on February 14 and voting. Do you might have any issues concerning the reliability of your supporters?
Prabowo Subianto: From the fervor of my supporters, I believe they really feel that our workforce is the true hope for them. I’m satisfied that they’ll flip, they really feel that they want leaders who can perceive their wants, who wish to struggle for them.
I’ll inform them, use your energy, as soon as each 5 years you might have the facility in your arms to decide on the leaders who will struggle for you. Should you vote for me, I’ll defend you and struggle for you.
