Prabowo Subianto

Prabowo Subianto is the President of Indonesia, having assumed office in October 2024. He is an Indonesian politician and former military general who previously served as Minister of Defence from 2019 to 2024 under President Joko Widodo. Prabowo was born in Jakarta in 1951 and pursued a military career spanning more than two decades, rising to the rank of lieutenant general in the Indonesian Army. His path to the presidency included three unsuccessful presidential campaigns in 2004, 2014 and 2019 before his victory in the 2024 election. He leads the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), which he founded in 2008. Prabowo's political platform has emphasised economic nationalism, food and energy self-sufficiency, and a more assertive foreign policy for Indonesia. He has sought to strengthen Indonesia's role in regional and international forums, including BRICS and the G20. His administration has prioritised trade relationships across the Global South, including engagement with African nations through platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Southern African Development Community. Prabowo's military background and business interests have shaped his approach to governance, with a focus on defence modernisation and agricultural development. His presidency marks a significant shift in Indonesian politics, bringing a former military figure to the country's highest civilian office.