JAKARTA: Former general Prabowo Subianto declared victory in Wednesday’s presidential election in Indonesia, claiming a commanding lead over his two opponents to head the largest economy in Southeast Asia based on preliminary data.
The ferocious defense minister has been the front-runner in polls for a some now because he promised to continue the policies of the well-liked departing leader Joko Widodo, whose son is Subianto’s running mate and is suspected of improperly supporting his campaign.
At a crowded venue in central Jakarta, he addressed a raucous gathering of supporters and said, “All counts, all pollsters… showed figures that Prabowo-Gibran won in one round,” referring to his running partner Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who stood next to him wearing a matching checkered shirt.
“This win ought to represent the success of all Indonesians.”
Prabowo Subianto has claimed victory in Indonesia's presidential election after unofficial results projected his victory without the need for a run-off pic.twitter.com/ZNFKoLcIQA
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More over half of voters are millennials and Gen-Zers.
Although official results are not expected until next month, at least four government-approved organizations projected that Subianto would win with roughly 57% of the vote, or a clear majority, in a single round based on official early tallying.
Subianto emphasized that “we still have to wait for KPU’s official result” when declaring victory, referring to the electoral body.
“We think democracy in Indonesia is functioning well. He addressed his followers, saying, “The people have decided, the people have determined.”
Subianto, a former military chief under the Suharto dictatorship, has to win the presidency with more than 50% of the vote and at least 5% of the votes cast in more than half of the 38 provinces in the nation.
The 72-year-old expressed gratitude to his followers and urged unity. Following his defeat in the last two elections, he organized street rallies and filed legal challenges. “Since the campaign is over, we need to get back together.”
In past elections, candidates have also exploited the “quick counts” provided by government-approved polling organizations to declare victory. After the polls shut, the pollsters are permitted to observe the count by election officials and collect samples at certain voting stations.
Important youth assistance
For some voters, Subianto’s service in the army was a decisive element. Afhary Firnanda, a 28-year-old Jakartan office worker, stated, “I think he is going to be a decisive leader because of his military background.”
Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, will hold its general election on Wednesday. Here’s how the three presidential candidates have tried to reach young people in a country where Gen Z and millennials make up 52% of the registered voters. https://t.co/Gwc8MUsQ7U pic.twitter.com/DCv5QFIkw1
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Accusations that he ordered the kidnapping of democracy activists toward the end of Suharto’s dictatorship led to his dismissal from the military in 1998. Despite his denials, he was never prosecuted.
Since then, he has improved his reputation, in part because of a clever social media campaign that depicted him as a “cuddly grandpa” and was directed towards Indonesia’s youth. That tactic seems to have worked, as the former general acknowledged that the youth vote contributed to his victory in a nation where more than half of voters are millennials and Gen-Zers.
He began his remarks by saying, “I would like to say gratitude to the youths who are key supporters.”
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
