JAKARTA: President Prabowo Subianto (pic) has made it clear he is in full control of his administration, brushing off perceptions of being under former president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo’s shadow.
In front of his cabinet on Monday (May 5), Prabowo firmly said that while he consults with Jokowi and other former presidents, he is an independent leader who charts the course of his administration on his own terms.
“I have heard people say that I am a puppet president. It is as if Pak Jokowi calls me every night. I’m telling you that is not true,” Prabowo told the cabinet meeting.
“Consulting with those who have led [the nation] before is not a weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom,” he said.
He noted that he has also met with former presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who co-founded the pro-government Democratic Party, and Megawati Soekarnoputri, who chairs the de facto opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and who is Jokowi’s former matron-turned-rival.
“If I could meet Gus Dur [Abdurrahman Wahid], Suharto or even Sukarno, I would,” Prabowo added, referring to late former presidents.
The remarks came amid growing speculations about Jokowi’s lingering influence on Prabowo’s administration, fuelled by a series of visits from incumbent ministers and regional heads, as well as high-ranking military and police officers to Jokowi at his home in Surakarta, Central Java, last month.
Some of the visits took place when Prabowo was away for his Middle East tour, and two cabinet ministers publicly referred to Jokowi as their boss after the visits despite them now serving Prabowo.
Prabowo won the election by a landslide with the help of Jokowi’s popularity and political clout, in what was widely interpreted as a quid-pro-quo that would ensure the former president maintains influence after a decade in charge.
Jokowi insisted that he would exit politics after leaving office but occasionally continues to host government officials and political figures seeking advice on national issues at his residence in Surakarta.
Political analyst Lili Romli from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) saw Prabowo’s remarks as a necessary move to affirm his independence.
“I think this is a clear assertion that Prabowo is independent, not under anyone’s control, including Jokowi’s,” Lili said on Monday.
“Prabowo has long been recognised as a strong-willed leader with firm decision-making instincts, undeterred by anyone.”
“This kind of affirmation is important because if the puppet narrative is left unchecked, it could damage his image and undermine his legitimacy as President. So his response is both timely and vital,” Lili said.
Despite rejecting speculations of Jokowi’s lingering influence, Prabowo attributed much of his administration’s early successes, including policy achievements, stable inflation and an increase in rice production, to “the effective and orderly handover from the previous administration”.
Months before leaving office last year, Jokowi reshuffled his cabinet, appointing new ministers with close ties to Prabowo in an effort to smoothen the transition of power to his successor.
“A smooth transition of power, where a predecessor supports his successor, is key to progress,” Prabowo said.
“Nation-building is a long-term effort. That is why I call on all of us to embrace a new paradigm that all leaders must be willing to work together if it is for the people and the national interest.”
In the speech, Prabowo described the former president as a leader who guided the country through challenging times, calling Jokowi’s presidency “a success” that must be acknowledged regardless of political views.
“Like it or not, we must recognise his achievements. For 10 years, he has led and delivered results,” he said.
The President also addressed the persistent allegations against Jokowi regarding the authenticity of his academic diplomas, a controversy that has been circulating since he first took office in 2014, and which turned into a legal battle six months after he left office.
“People question his diplomas [despite his success during his decade of presidency],” Prabowo said.
“Soon they'll be asking about my diploma too.”
Analyst Hendri Satrio noted that while Prabowo’s close rapport with Jokowi is unprecedented, the President now appears to draw a clear boundary.
“Prabowo knows how to show gratitude to Jokowi, but he’s also signalling that he is not controlled by him,” he said.
While Hendri believed the public already sees Prabowo as the legitimate President, he acknowledged the benefit of Prabowo directly addressing the allegations of being a puppet.
“By speaking out, he’s just making it crystal clear: He is an independent leader. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
