JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed claims that his administration is being influenced by former president Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, calling such speculation unfounded.
He also rejected suggestions that he remains afraid of or controlled by Jokowi, stating that their relationship is based on friendship.
“Pak Jokowi has never asked anything from me. Why should I be afraid of him? He (Jokowi) is my friend,” Prabowo said during the inauguration of the Lotte Chemical Indonesia factory in Cilegon, Banten, on Thursday.
Prabowo went on to praise Jokowi’s decade-long leadership, particularly in managing economic growth and inflation. He noted that plans for the nearly US$4 billion petrochemical facility by South Korea‘s Lotte Chemical were initiated during Jokowi’s tenure.
He also criticised what he described as an unhealthy political culture, where leaders are often attacked after leaving office but praised while in power.
“Let us learn to respect the contributions of all public figures and leaders. Leaders are human — are they perfect? Of course not,” he said.
Prabowo has previously denied claims of a rift with Jokowi, most recently at the closing of the 6th Parti Amanat Nasional Congress last August.
He won the 2024 presidential election and officially took office on Oct 20, succeeding Jokowi. Analysts believe Prabowo’s victory was significantly aided by Jokowi’s support, including the selection of Jokowi’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his vice-presidential running mate.— BERNAMA
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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