Indonesia’s 8th President Prabowo (left) and Vice President Gibran (right) take office, aiming to lead Indonesia towards energy self-sufficiency. (Photo: Prabowo Subianto’s Facebook)
Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka were officially sworn in on the 20th, with ambitions to transform Indonesia into a “green energy superpower” and achieve national energy self-sufficiency.
Despite being a major coal producer and the world’s largest palm oil exporter with considerable potential for bioenergy, Indonesia faces unique challenges and opportunities in its energy transition. Under Prabowo’s leadership, what shape will this transformation take?
Who is Prabowo Subianto?
Born in 1951, Prabowo Subianto is the son of a prominent Indonesian economist and politician. Choosing a military career over his family’s political legacy, he graduated from the Indonesian Military Academy and joined the special forces, eventually rising to the rank of general. During his time in the military, he married the daughter of former President Suharto, though they divorced in 1998 after 15 years.
Prabowo’s close ties to Suharto enabled his rapid military ascent, yet he didn’t enter the presidential race until founding the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) in 2008. After two unsuccessful bids against former President Joko Widodo, Prabowo pivoted to an alliance, securing the role of Defense Minister. This year, alongside Jokowi’s son Gibran, he ascended to the presidency.
During his campaign, Prabowo presented a grandfatherly image but carries a controversial past. His involvement in anti-Chinese riots in 1988 and suppression of East Timor’s independence movement led to his dismissal from the military and a 20-year ban from entering the U.S., which lifted only in 2020.
