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Prabowo must take charge of coalition, 'cordial' ties with Jokowi
Presumptive presidential election winner Prabowo Subianto will need to maintain a “cordial relationship” with outgoing leader President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo if he is to fulfill many of his ambitious campaign promises, experts have said, as they weigh in on the likely challenges faced by a Prabowo administration.
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President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo (left) pins the insignia of honorary general on Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (center) in a ceremony in Jakarta on Feb. 28, 2024. The event was held during an executive meeting of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police at the TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, Jakarta. (Antara/Bayu Pratama S)
Presumptive presidential election winner Prabowo Subianto will need to maintain a “cordial relationship” with outgoing leader President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo if he is to fulfill many of his ambitious campaign promises, experts say, as they weigh in on the likely challenges faced by a Prabowo administration.
The official results are not due until Wednesday, but experts have attributed Prabowo’s likely victory to his decision to choose Jokowi’s son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his running mate and for having run on a campaign platform based on continuing many of Jokowi’s policies.
But whether or not the two politicians can maintain their good relationship or if friction will arise after Prabowo assumes office in October will be the biggest question heading into Prabowo’s presidency, said political analyst Wasisto Raharjo Jati of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
“Normally, once the successor takes charge, they upend [their predecessor’s] programs and start their own. So I think the biggest question for Prabowo is if he can maintain a cordial relationship once Jokowi steps down, or if he will take the lead without Jokowi,” Wasisto said during a discussion held by The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Using the power struggle between Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, whose daughter is the current vice president, as an example, Wasisto said that the ties between Prabowo and Jokowi would likely depend on what role Jokowi would play in Prabowo’s administration.
“Friction [between a president and his predecessor] can happen, it’s normal. But how Prabowo sets up a code of conduct [if that happens] among his coalition will be the main key [for ensuring stability] in his administration,” Wasisto added.
Speculation has been rife that the outgoing President is seeking a major role in the selection of cabinet members in an effort to maintain his political influence after leaving office and to ensure that the next administration is well positioned to pursue his policy aims.
