JAKARTA – Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka have been officially declared as the President-Vice President Elect of Indonesia by the General Election Commission (KPU) for the period 2024-2029.
However, many doubted the pair’s ability to lead the country.
In fact, a number of foreign-language media such as the Jakarta Post has repeatedly ran articles reminding about Prabowo’s track record in the events of 1998.
In addition to being accused of being involved in human rights violations, the Minister of Defence is also considered to have no competence in government.
“We don’t see Prabowo’s track record in government, how he manages the government,” said Abdul Gaffar Karim, lecturer at the Department of Politics and Government at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) to The Editor.
According to him, Prabowo’s only experience is leading troops and running a business.
Where both of them are not familiar with rejection, do not know differences of opinion, and do not know how to have a dialogue in its implementation.
Therefore, is it possible for Prabowo and Gibran to perform their functions as President and Vice President, which require more time for dialogue with the public?
“In society, we face different people, different articulations. The regional’s government can be challenged (by the community),” Gaffar said.
He is also not sure if Prabowo is able to accept criticism from others.
“We don’t know if Prabowo has the capacity to handle other people’s criticism. This is what I am worried about,” he said.
Then, what about Gibran?
Gibran is also considered unable to accept criticism from others. In fact, he is considered to be very frivolous in dealing with simple questions from people, especially the media crew.
“That is the problem. Prabowo is accompanied by Gibran–we know how he likes to communicate arbitrarily and does not care about people’s criticism. The other day, Ganjar (Pranowo) said he would refuse to be offered a cabinet seat, then he asked “who offered it?”” said Gaffar.
Eyes and ears closed to the public
The anti-criticism attitude and lack of experience in government, according to Gaffar, will make Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming appear as authoritarian leaders.
“What I worry about is that they will go their own way. By closing their ears and eyes to people’s lives, and acting only according to their own interests and needs. That is very dangerous,” he said.
