Jakarta — Time Magazine, a prominent U.S.-based publication, has explored how President-elect Prabowo Subianto will lead Indonesia, steering the nation towards a brighter future. In its article, Time highlighted Prabowo’s historic victory in the 2024 presidential election, where he secured more than 58% of the vote, making it one of the most significant wins in global electoral history.

“He won Indonesia’s highest office with over 58% of the vote in the February election and will be inaugurated on October 20, marking the largest margin of victory for any presidential candidate in history,” Time wrote in its review, quoted on Tuesday (October 15).

Prabowo’s victory brings enormous responsibility, especially with his focus on improving the lives of Indonesia’s impoverished communities. After winning the election, Prabowo visited Muara Angke, a slum area in North Jakarta, demonstrating his commitment to the poor, a key demographic he has targeted both during and after the campaign.

“Residents wade through waist-deep floodwater filled with human waste and discarded shellfish,” Time reported, noting Prabowo’s hands-on approach to addressing the nation’s dire poverty.

One of Prabowo’s flagship programs is the Free Nutritious Meal initiative, aimed at improving the living standards of the population. The article mentioned his $30 billion plan to provide free meals for schoolchildren, fight corruption by raising civil servant salaries, utilize advanced technologies like AI, and implement new agricultural techniques to transform Indonesia—the world’s fourth most populous country—into a food-exporting nation within five years.

Prabowo’s vision is also to maintain Indonesia’s neutrality amidst growing geopolitical tensions, especially between major powers like the United States and China.

“We have a history of remaining neutral. When an Indonesian leader deviates from this tradition, they lead us into disaster. So we respect America, and we want more American involvement here, but we also respect China,” Prabowo told Time.

Prabowo emphasized his respect for all major powers, acknowledging both China’s ancient civilization and the influence of the U.S. while pointing out that the U.S. sometimes forgets its true friends.

“We respect all major powers. China is a great civilization. And the U.S. is a great power, but sometimes they make mistakes. They forget who their true friends are,” Prabowo remarked.

For Prabowo, his presidency is solely driven by the interests of the Indonesian people. He made it clear that his focus remains on serving the nation, regardless of any external opinions from other governments.

“Some parts of the U.S. government, at certain times, had opinions about me. But I always prioritize the interests of my people,” Prabowo told Time.

Prabowo’s leadership promises a focus on national interest, aiming to bring stability and prosperity to Indonesia and solidify its place as a significant player on the world stage. (RR)

Source : Time.com