Consultation or power consolidation? Debate over Indonesia’s incoming leader Prabowo’s idea to form ‘presidential club’ with predecessors

Former Indonesia presidents Megawati Soekarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, current president Joko Widodo , and incoming president Prabowo Subianto . JAKARTA: An elite club comprising Indonesia ’s sitting and living former presidents could help incoming leader Prabowo Subianto consolidate power, but challenges lie in bridging new and old rifts, analysts say.

Earlier this week, he said the presidential club would not be a formal set-up and there are no plans to institutionalise it, unlike the Presidential Advisory Council . Wantimpres is a government body that advises the Indonesian president on daily administration and is regulated by Article 16 of the Constitution of Indonesia.

Mr Yudhoyono, who eventually won the election, was serving as Ms Megawati’s chief security minister at the time. It is widely believed that Ms Megawati viewed this as a betrayal. “First, Mr Prabowo needs to reconcile Mr Widodo and Ms Megawati. Mr Gibran’s nomination was a direct challenge to Ms Megawati’s authority as the PDIP’s chairperson,” Mr Yoes said.

Indonesia's General Elections Commission officially announced Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as the President-elect and Vice President-elect in April 2024. If it materialises, the club would help Mr Prabowo consolidate his presidency, especially in the first and second years which are typically the most challenging, analysts say.

He suggested that initially, Mr Prabowo could consult one-on-one with his predecessors, who would offer counsel. “Support from this presidential club will help Prabowo-Gibran secure symbolic and parliamentary legitimacy because, after all, the club members were, and are the most powerful politicians in Indonesia right now. They are all kingmakers.”

Prabowo Subianto Indonesia Presidential Election Joko Widodo

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