Tag Archives: Indonesia government

How will Prabowo Subianto, an ex-general who’s never held elective office, lead Indonesia?

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Foreign leaders congratulated Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on his apparent victory in Indonesia’s presidential election, while rights activists called him a threat. But how he’ll govern remains uncertain after a campaign in which he made few concrete promises besides continuity with the popular outgoing president. The 72-year-old ex-general has never held elective office. He’ll lead a …

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Families of Indonesian activists tortured by soldiers 25 years ago shocked at general’s election win

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Families of Indonesian activists who were kidnapped and tortured by the military 25 years ago demanded justice in a protest Thursday and expressed shock over the apparent presidential victory of Prabowo Subianto, whom they blamed for the atrocities. Currently the defense minister under outgoing President Jokowi Widodo, Subianto claimed victory in the presidential election on Wednesday, …

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Election ballots and boxes carried across Indonesia by motorcycle, boat, horse and on foot

Iconic white ballot boxes and ballots to let the nearly 205 million eligible voters of Indonesia choose candidates in this Wednesday’s election have been carried across the world’s largest archipelago by motorcycle, boat and even horse — as well as on foot. The journey can be tough. The boxes and ballots must sometimes be hand-carried up mountains, across rivers and …

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A defense minister and 2 former governors are vying for Indonesia’s presidency

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian voters on Wednesday were making their choice of who will succeed popular President Joko Widodo, who is serving his second and final term. It is a three-way race for the presidency among current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and two former provincial governors, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. Subianto, who is widely seen as the front-runner, …

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