What’s Coming for Indonesia as Prabowo Consolidates His Power?

In his second year in office, President Prabowo Subianto continues to consolidate his power by broadening his huge ruling coalition, tightening state control over key economic sectors, and shoring up public support through populist initiatives, including the free nutritious meal program (makan bergizi gratis, MBG). The former military general, however, still faces major domestic and global challenges in realising his Asta Cita (eight missions). With the global financial crisis triggered by the military escalation in the Middle East set to squeeze Indonesia’s economy, the president will have to navigate fiscal pressures from rising global oil prices, fracturing elites, and increasing social and economic grievances. In this online seminar, regular Indonesia at Melbourne contributors — Riandy Laksono, Ahmad Syarif Syechabubakar, Ahmad Rizky M Umar, Maidina Rahmawati and Eryanto Nugroho — discussed how the Prabowo administration responds to these challenges and how it will shape Indonesia’s political and economic trajectory in the years ahead. This seminar was co-hosted by the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society, the Indonesia @ Melbourne Blog and the Asian Law Centre.