Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), which he founded and heads
Political Party
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), chaired by former President Megawati Sukarnoputri
Son of a former Suharto economics minister who married a daughter of the former strongman. He became one of Suharto’s top military generals.
Background
Furniture businessman who became the highly-regarded mayor of Solo, Central Java, and then governor of the capital Jakarta
Ran as vice president with Megawati in 2009 but lost. Spent the last 5 years preparing for this year’s election.
Road to the presidency
Was catapulted to national fame as Jakarta governor, and his widespread popularity forced Megawati to step aside and nominate him as PDI-P’s candidate in March 2014.
“To develop an Indonesia that is united, sovereign, fair and prosperous, as well as dignified.”
“Create an Indonesia that is sovereign, independent and has an identity based on gotong royong,” a philosophy of working together towards a common goal
Economic Growth
Prabowo says he will stop the leakage of Indonesian assets worth about IDR1,000 trillion (US$84 billion), which is benefitting foreigners instead of the country. He says Indonesia’s economy can grow by 7%-10% per year if it plugs “leaks” such as:
Lack of added value to natural resources being exported
Lost potential revenue from unfair mining contracts
Jokowi says economic development will be achieved by building human resources through good health and education. He says Indonesia can grow above 7% per year but should focus on reducing the rich-poor gap, such as by:
Developing the areas outside the central island of Java
Improving the business climate through incentives, a one-stop service for investments, and expediting issuance of business licenses to 15 days
Budget Deficit
Prabowo plans to:
Reduce the fuel subsidy for the rich through taxes/levies
Provide subsidies only to eligible citizens
Fuel subsidies – at IDR210.7 trillion (US$18 billion) in 2014 – are seen as a major cause of Indonesia’s widening budget deficit
Jokowi plans to:
Cut IDR60 trillion (US$5 billion) in fuel subsidies a year by shifting 30% of fuel-powered transportation to natural gas
Boost public transportation management in cities to reduce up to IDR20 billion (US$1.7 million) a year
Law enforcement and corruption
Prabowo wants to improve the welfare of law enforcement officers: “I think that the root of [law enforcement problems in] the end is money”. (READ: Debat Capres, Prabowo: Korupsi karena Gaji Kecil)
Transparency International ranked Indonesia 114th out of 177 countries and territories in its annual corruption perceptions index last year
Jokowi wants to restore the public’s faith in law enforcement: “Legal certainty comes first. [Who] the President is, is number two”. (READ: Joko Widodo: Kepastian Hukum Utama)
Foreign policy
Prabowo’s campaign team says: “The South China Sea issue is a very important issue for us. Indonesia has the responsibility to continue and intensify our role. We need to maintain our active role in mediating the conflict, keep ASEAN united, and push for the signing of the code of conduct.”
Jokowi said in a debate: “This is another country’s problem with another country. It is better if we can play a role, though we also need to check if it would sour our ties with China or whether we can find a resolution to the conflict… If our diplomacy isn’t useful and can’t find the right solution, then what for?”
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