Sixteen years after the overthrow of the dictator Suharto, Indonesia is turning back toward that regime as his former son-in-law pulls level in the race to run the world’s third-largest democracy. Prabowo Subianto, one of Suharto’s youngest generals, who was fired from his post in the army in 1998 for his role in the abduction and torture of pro-democracy activists, has overtaken Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo in opinion polls less than a week before the July 9 election. Widodo, known as Jokowi, has squandered a lead of more than 30 points with a disorganized campaign that raised Prabowo’s appeal as a potential strong leader. “Prabowo represents, at the very least, the turning of the tide and the beginning of what might be a serious authoritarian reversal,” said Edward Aspinall, a professor of politics at the Australian National University in Canberra. “He emerged from the very heart of the old authoritarian system.” Bankrolled by his tycoon … [Read more...] about Indonesia risks Suharto dynasty rerun as son-in-law also rises
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Indonesia under Widodo steps away from ‘zero-enemies’ diplomacy
Six months after taking office, Indonesian President Joko Widodo is starting to step away from his predecessor’s foreign policy of keeping everyone happy. Widodo, known as Jokowi, criticized the United Nations and International Monetary Fund at this week’s Asian African Conference in Jakarta. He’s pledged to increase defense spending, ordered foreign boats seized for illegal fishing to be destroyed, and declined to pardon two Australian drug smugglers facing a firing squad, leading to warnings of damaged ties. Jokowi’s actions contrast with former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s motto of having “a million friends and zero enemies,” where Indonesia kept a low profile despite being Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s fourth-most populous nation. While Jokowi may want Indonesia to be more visible, a proactive foreign policy could also distract him from an ambitious agenda to revive economic growth at home. … [Read more...] about Indonesia under Widodo steps away from ‘zero-enemies’ diplomacy
Indonesia says executions won’t be delayed despite mercy pleas
Indonesia's president said on Tuesday the planned execution of 11 convicts on death row, most on drugs charges, would not be delayed, warning foreign countries not to intervene in his government's right to use capital punishment. President Joko Widodo has denied clemency to the convicts despite repeated pleas from Australia, Brazil and France, who have citizens due to be executed by firing squad. "The first thing I need to say firmly is that there shouldn't be any intervention towards the death penalty because it is our sovereign right to exercise our law," Widodo told reporters. He said he took calls from the leaders of France, Brazil and the Netherlands about the death penalty but made no mention of Australia. Two Australians are among the 11 on death row. The president did not say when the executions would be carried out. Indonesia has harsh penalties for drug trafficking and resumed executions in 2013 after a five-year gap. Shortly before Widodo spoke, a court in Jakarta threw out … [Read more...] about Indonesia says executions won’t be delayed despite mercy pleas
Mercy pleas for Indonesia death row inmates as families arrive
Families of foreign drug convicts set to be hauled before the firing squad in Indonesia issued desperate mercy pleas on Saturday, as France warned of "diplomatic consequences" if one of its nationals is executed. Consular officials and relatives were arriving at a town near Nusakambangan, the high-security prison island where Indonesian executions are carried out, and where all of the death row convicts are now congregated. The foreigners -- two from Australia, one each from Brazil, France and the Philippines, and four from Africa -- have all lost appeals for clemency from President Joko Widodo, who argues that Indonesia is fighting a drugs emergency. Paris stepped up pressure on Jakarta Saturday, with President Francois Hollande warning of "consequences with France and Europe" if its citizen was put to death, while Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop urged a "change of heart" from Widodo. No date has been set for the executions, as Jakarta is waiting for the outcome of an appeal … [Read more...] about Mercy pleas for Indonesia death row inmates as families arrive
Indonesia defends executions, after convicts die singing
Indonesia on Wednesday staunchly defended its execution of seven foreigners including two Australians as a vital front of its "war" on drugs as testimony emerged of how they went singing to their deaths. Australia withdrew its ambassador in protest at the midnight executions, but Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he was merely applying "the rule of law" against narcotics traffickers. The seven convicts -- two from Australia, one from Brazil and four from Africa -- were shot by firing squad along with one Indonesian, despite strident foreign appeals and pleas from family members. Brazil expressed "deep regret" at the execution of its national, who is mentally ill according to his family, and said it was weighing its next move. The condemned men reportedly all refused blindfolds and sang hymns, among them "Amazing Grace", as they went to face the firing squad in a jungle clearing, according to a pastor who was with them. As the clock ticked down to midnight, a group of tearful … [Read more...] about Indonesia defends executions, after convicts die singing