As the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto faces a unique challenge rarely experienced by his predecessors: establishing an independent leadership identity while under the shadow of his predecessor, Joko Widodo. Given Jokowi’s powerful influence and the major projects initiated during his two terms, Prabowo must assert himself as a leader with distinct policies and a different vision.
Jokowi’s Legacy: Burden or Challenge? Jokowi left a profound impact on various aspects of governance, from ambitious projects like the construction of the new capital city (IKN) to massive infrastructure investments. Against this backdrop, Prabowo’s main challenge is ensuring that he is not just an extension of the Jokowi era but a leader with a new approach and leadership philosophy.
Prabowo needs to assert the independence of his policies, not just continuing Jokowi’s legacy but demonstrating significant differences in national priorities. For example, while Jokowi focused on grand physical projects, Prabowo highlighted national defense, revitalization of the agricultural sector, and economic diversification as the cornerstones of his administration.
Creating Distance from Jokowi’s Influence To strengthen his leadership stance, Prabowo must create a clear distance from Jokowi’s lingering influence. A crucial step is formulating policies that are substantively different, such as overhauling development strategies to be more inclusive and expanding the focus to non-Java regions that have often been overlooked.
Moreover, Prabowo needs to avoid the pitfalls of coalitions dominated by figures still loyal to Jokowi. Building a cabinet with new, competent figures unbound by the previous era will be a tangible symbol that Prabowo’s leadership is not merely a continuation but a new chapter in Indonesia’s history.
Facing Political and Economic Pressure Prabowo also contends with the reality that Jokowi still wields significant influence among political and economic elites. To address this pressure, Prabowo must employ strategic political and economic diplomacy that prioritizes national interests. Reducing reliance on Jokowi’s old networks and building new alliances aligned with his vision will strengthen Prabowo’s position as an independent leader.
A Different Policy Vision Concrete steps such as shifting the focus from grand projects to the development of human resources, technological research, and innovation could be key differentiators. Prabowo could also solidify his stance by crafting a more proactive foreign policy and strengthening national defense as a form of strategic independence.
By emphasizing a unique vision, Prabowo Subianto not only avoids becoming a mere shadow of Jokowi but also lays the groundwork for leadership that is strong, independent, and truly new for Indonesia. This independent leadership will determine whether the Prabowo era is remembered as a period of meaningful renewal or merely an extension of the past.
