Author: Philip J. Heijmans
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Next Indonesia leader went from ‘poison pill’ to affable grandpa
Once described by U.S. diplomats as a “poison pill” ex-general accused of human-rights abuses, Prabowo Subianto remade his image as an affable grandpa to win over Indonesia’s young electorate and is set to become the next president of Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. The 72-year-old defense minister secured around 60% support, according to unofficial quick counts…
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Indonesia polls favor ex-general seen bolstering ties with China
Days before Indonesians vote for their first new president in a decade, opinion polls favor an ex-general bent on continuing an economic strategy anchored on business ties to China while vowing to sustain a more neutral foreign policy stance between Washington and Beijing. As the front-runner in the Feb. 14 election, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto…