Prabowo: good-neighbour policyPrabowo was a general in the Indonesian military during former President Suharto’s authoritarian era. He was Jokowi’s rival during the 2014 and 2019 elections, but they have since become allies. Prabowo is running with Jokowi’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, in next month’s contest.Under his foreign policy platform, Prabowo has pledged to sustain Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy while strengthening the country’s defence.This foreign policy direction may have been widely expected, given his military background and current position as minister of defence.But similar to Anies, Prabowo’s approach also focuses on Indonesia’s role in regional stability. He wants Indonesia to be “a good neighbour” and maintain stable relationships with its neighbours in Southeast Asia.He would also likely continue Jokowi’s foreign affairs approach of being reluctant to choose sides in the global superpower rivalry.Prabowo has emphasised how Indonesia must respect the US and its western allies, as well as China. He has also mentioned how India and Russia are important partners for Indonesia, as well as African countries that share the same colonisation experience.Prabowo is the only candidate who deliberately and openly discusses the importance of being a good neighbour. Under his leadership, Indonesia would therefore need to show that its presence in the region is non-threatening to neighbouring countries.
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