President Prabowo Subianto Pledges: A Start of New Era

The Indonesian president Prabowo emphasis to work for all Indonesians even those who did not vote for him during the election on Feb 14  vividly reflects his sincere efforts of achieving the national unity, harmony, stability and peace among the different political parties gearing his new government towards greater socio-economic prosperity, corruption free society, rescuing the country from the prevailing middle income trap and formation of human capital development for a prosperous Indonesia. 

During his maiden speech his pledges to eradicate corruption and poverty clearly indicates social development orientation making Indonesia economically self-sufficient through holistic and comprehensive policies. It seems that energy sufficiency and diversification are also one of the main priorities of his government.    

His special mentioning of national history showcasing its struggle full of bravery not afraid of challenges, obstacles, threats highlighting full of heroism, sacrifice, courage inching towards the impossible possible.

Moreover, in his 50-minute speech, President Prabowo stresses the need for an atmosphere of togetherness, unity, collaboration and cooperation, not prolonged bickering showing the need for wise leadership. Thus political diversity, maturity, national cohesion and people’s friendly politics and governance is the way forward. His invitation to all political parties to join his government reflects his superior political wisdom to form a wild spectrum government through shunning all political rivalries working jointly for the welfare of the general masses in the days to come.  

It is good omen that the new president asserted to continue with some of his predecessor’s programs conveying the message of economic continuity, financial integration making much needed comfort zones for businessmen, investors and industrialists.

His relying on down-steaming would be a first giant step towards industrial value-addition in the country which would further strengthen much needed economic substitution to avoid exporting raw minerals abroad that would be economically more profitable for Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. The development and exploration of metals & minerals would be the main strategic priorities of the new president however; it should not be inching towards exploitation in terms of climate change in the country.

Thus it is a right path in the right direction for achieving industrial sustainability and economic stability in the country creating cushions for immense social development programs transforming lives of struggling common people gearing towards qualitative life.   

On human level, the new president’s pledges to form a state, society and the system free from fear, poverty, hunger, ignorance, oppression, suffering shows his holistic and humanistic intentions to govern the country which is good omen for the protection of basic human rights and provision of basic necessities of life to common people in the country.  

It seems that new Indonesian president would follow an independent foreign policy guided by the principles of non-membership and non-alignment to geopolitical blocs, and that he would not join any military alliance, however, it is need of the hour to adopt a constructive neutrality instead of not taking any side growing Indonesian footprints in the regional as well as international affairs safeguarding national interest of Indonesia.  

It is predicted that Prabowo will maintain good neighborliness in the region and globally, and that a web of strong friendships would be a pillar of the nation’s foreign and defense policy. Thus it would be instrumental to seek more and more foreign investment beneficial to the national economy for strengthening the nation which is situated along important trading routes and strategic waterways, and depends on trade to prosper. So, the policy of the “zero enemy and a thousand friends” strategy would be an ideal option to move forward. 

It is also forecasted that the Indonesian President Prabowo would term China as an important partner in the South East Asian region contributing to the Indonesian economy. Thus more economic integration with China under BRI and bilateral ties with China would be a good policy option for the new president. 

It is likely that Beijing would approach Prabowo with the offer of strategic military equipment in the form of warships and submarines, which would be attractive to Indonesia creating a befitting proposition towards greater modernization of the Indonesian armed forces in the days to come. 

It is anticipated that Prabowo would continue to maintain positive relations with countries, irrespective of ideology, alliances and state border disputes, if the relations would benefit Indonesia. His visits to China, Russia, France, Japan and many other countries clearly demonstrates his pragmatic and diversified foreign policy for his country achieving the desired goals of socio-economic prosperity in the future.   

It is suggested that Prabowo may use his international friendliness as a major element of his foreign policy, especially when he believes it is in Indonesia’s pragmatic interests. Thus a balanced foreign policy towards China and the USA, avoiding any regional rivalry and global conflict would be an appropriate policy option for the Indonesian new president.  

In summary, the maiden speech of the Indonesian new president Prabowo vividly reflects concrete policies of corruption free country inching towards absolute good governance, economic self-reliance shoring towards much needed economic substitution, industrial diversification safeguarding vested interest of the nation and last but not least, formation of fearless state, society and system has set a new strategic road map for achieving the desired goals of national unity, political diversity, societal cohesion and end of political differences in the country. 

Thus his first speech stands for holistic and comprehensive orientations covering all aspects of economic diversification, prosperity, growth of productive channels and protection of human values and basic rights. 

His emphasis on fair trade and equality would be helpful for achieving greater regional cooperation and socio-economic integration in the days to come.       

It is envisaged that Indonesian foreign policy under the Prabowo era would be more purposeful, pragmatic, positive, productive, participatory and confident than under the Jokowi administration. The new president may consider to follow some policies of constructive neutrality in the future thus there would be a shift from inward looking approach to outward looking orientation through pursuing a more assertive and critical foreign policy.