Prabowo Subianto, the elected President of Indonesia for 2024-2029, is seen as someone who will bring greater influence for Indonesia on the international stage. This assessment was made by the Singaporean media, The Straits Times, in an article titled “Prabowo has big plans for Indonesia on the world stage” published on Saturday, September 21.
According to the article, Prabowo has been actively engaging with various countries including Singapore, China, Japan, Russia, and Australia since winning around 59% of the votes from about 200 million voters. While Prabowo has been conducting these engagements as the Defense Minister, he is also recognized as the future President of Indonesia.
Indonesian citizens interviewed by The Straits Times expressed their anticipation for Prabowo’s term, noting his specific focus on developing Indonesia’s role in the world. They believe that by being proactive internationally, Prabowo can enhance Indonesia’s communication with other countries and act as a mediator in conflict resolution when necessary.
Experts and other members of society also expect Prabowo to prioritize foreign policy to elevate Indonesia’s global standing. When he assumes office on October 20, he is anticipated to focus strongly on foreign policy with the aim of boosting Indonesia’s global position.
Besides diplomatic meetings with foreign leaders, Prabowo has taken active steps on the world stage. The Straits Times highlighted his criticism of Western countries over the Israel-Palestine conflict and his attendance at the High-Level Humanitarian Conference in Gaza on June 11, 2024.
Prabowo’s unwavering stance on Gaza was commended, particularly for his offer to evacuate 1,000 patients from Gaza to Indonesia and provide educational opportunities for Palestinian children in Islamic boarding schools in East Java.
Julia Lau, a senior fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, stated in the article that Prabowo’s leadership will make Indonesia more active in foreign policy. She emphasized the need for a competent Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Prabowo’s administration to have a significant impact on Indonesia’s future foreign policy direction.
Nevertheless, the article also mentioned the public’s expectation for Prabowo to fulfill his political promises made during the campaign and demonstrate to his critics that he is not just making empty promises but taking tangible actions. (RR)
Source: straitstimes.com
