Early Life and Military Career
Prabowo graduated from the Indonesian Military BOY 303 Academy in 1970 and primarily served in the Special Forces (Kopassus). He rose through the ranks and was appointed to lead the Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) in 1998. However, that same year, he was discharged from the military and subsequently banned from entering the United States due to allegations of human rights abuses.
Political Career
BOY303 In 2008, Prabowo's inner circle established the Gerindra Party, which became a significant platform for his political ambitions. He first ran for vice presidency in the 2009 presidential election as Megawati Sukarnoputri's running mate but was unsuccessful.
Prabowo contested the presidential elections in 2014 and 2019, facing off against Joko Widodo both times. After losing the 2014 election, he initially disputed the results. In the 2019 election, he ran with Sandiaga Uno as his running mate, supported by several political parties. His refusal to accept the election results led to protests that resulted in deadly riots in Jakarta. Despite this, he was appointed as the Minister of Defense in Joko Widodo's cabinet for the 2019-2024 period.
2024 Presidential Election
On October 10, 2021, Gerindra announced Prabowo as their candidate for the 2024 presidential election. He officially accepted the nomination on August 12, 2022. In the election held on February 14, 2024, Prabowo declared victory based on early unofficial polling results. The General Election Commission certified the results on March 20, 2024, and the Constitutional Court confirmed his status on April 22, 2024.
Prabowo was inaugurated as the eighth president of Indonesia on October 20, 2024, at the age of 73, making him the oldest person to assume the presidency in Indonesia's history. His vice president, Gibran Rakabuming, became the youngest vice president at 37 years old.
Conclusion
Prabowo Subianto's journey from a military general to the president of Indonesia reflects his resilience and determination in the political arena. His leadership is expected to shape Indonesia's future as he navigates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.