Tomorrow the transfer of powers between Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the former general elected in February will take place. Mixed reactions in Indonesian society, where many remember the heavy nationalist past. The main unknowns relate to support for the new capital, Nusantara, and the economic management of the country. Meanwhile, the number of government ministers rises from 30 to 46, raising concerns about public spending.
Jakarta () – Tomorrow, Sunday, October 20, the transfer of powers will take place in Indonesia between the outgoing president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his successor, a former political “rival” turned into his faithful ally, Prabowo Subianto, 73 years, former general and current Minister of Defense, along with Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as the new vice president. The reactions in Indonesian society have been mixed, waiting for the moment when the new pair of national leaders will lead the government for the next five years, until 2029. With a past of ardent nationalism, after the victory in the last elections February – the third attempt in a decade – the president-elect had declared: “I will show that I will fight for all Indonesians, even those who did not vote for me.”
Precisely the shadow of its past has recently caused some pessimistic perceptions about the future. For example, it is unknown whether Prabowo will practice his military leadership style and show his strong discontent against opposition groups, including critical media and their journalists. After losing the presidential race in 2014, he said he had suffered “major” fraud. Others are skeptical that the new administration will continue Jokowi’s ambitious legacy and support the development of the country’s new capital, Nusantara Capital City (IKN), as Subianto has said it could take years to complete the projects started. This comment has given Indonesian society the impression that Nusantara may become Jokowi’s obsolete inheritance for various reasons, including lack of funds, with few foreign investors interested in developing the ambition of a new capital for Indonesia.
In the last two days, Indonesian society has attended the consultations of Prabowo Subianto, who invited numerous politicians and personalities from the business and academic world to occupy ministerial positions. There is a widespread idea that the measure will lead to an increase in public spending, because Prabowo will increase the number of ministers from 30 to 46. At least a hundred people have already been invited to meet with Prabowo to discuss their participation in the government team. . This means that the next ministerial cabinet will be very large, although Prabowo Subianto affirms that this initiative is necessary to better address the complexity of the various issues.
One of the former general’s political promises is an increase in economic growth from 5 to 8 percent, which can be achieved by opening up to foreign investors and offering operational management of airports and seaports. Another solution is the sale of carbon credits abroad to finance green projects. Also the development of energy and food security through the self-sufficient production of basic necessities with “food estate” projects, such as the recovery of swamps for the cultivation of cassava and the creation of 3 million hectares for the cultivation of rice, corn and soybeans. It also aims to reduce diesel imports, by increasing the blend of palm oil-based biodiesel to 50%, thanks to the fact that the country is the largest producer in the world.
There is also no shortage of popular policies, including the distribution of free meals to students in schools worth 28 billion dollars, destined for 83 million children and pregnant women, to combat growth problems; a program that has received criticism because it is considered too “sophisticated.” As for Nusantara, President Jokowi has already launched a $32 billion project, and despite Prabowo’s commitment to push it forward, many have raised questions regarding the balance of the state budget.
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