Could There Be a ‘Mahathir-Like’ Upset in Indonesia’s Election?
- Ex-Jokowi ally sees presidential challenger closing gap
- Stagnant economy, Muslim anger could work against Jokowi
Prabowo Subianto
Photographer: Dimas Ardian/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Prabowo Subianto could pull off a “Mahathir-like” surprise win in Indonesia’s presidential election in April, according to a former member of President Joko Widodo’s cabinet.
Widodo’s double-digit lead in opinion polls masks growing unrest among farmers hurt by low commodity prices and a middle class disappointed by the president’s failure to deliver on the promise of 7 percent economic growth, said Rizal Ramli, a former ally of Widodo, known as Jokowi. Ramli served as his coordinating minister for maritime affairs between August 2015 and July 2016.