Widodo Taps Election Arch-Rival for Defence Minister
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has named his election arch-rival a former general accused of abuses - as defence minister, a move which dismayed human rights activists. Mr Widodo unveiled his new cabinet at an informal presentation, with more than three dozen new ministers in eyecatching batik shirts sitting in front of the imposing neoclassical columns of the Merdeka Palace.
Mr Widodo, beat Prabowo Subianto in April elections to secure another term as president of the world’s thirdbiggest democracy.
His victory followed a bitter campaign plagued by mudslinging, fake news online and claims from Mr Subianto that the government staged a “massive, systematic and fraudulent” election, which sparked deadly post-poll riots. But the pair have since appeared together in public, and this week Mr Subianto, 68, hinted that he and another member of his Gerindra opposition party were tapped for top government posts.
Announcing Mr Subianto’s new role, Mr Widodo said: “I believe I don’t have to tell him about his job -- he knows more than I do.”
Online, Subianto supporters cheered the appointment.
“They used to compete but now, together, they’re going to build this country,” said one.
“We appreciate Prabowo for being big-hearted enough to be willing to help Jokowi for the progress of the nation.”
Amnesty International Indonesia earlier warned against appointing the former general, saying it would mark “a dark day for human rights”. Mr Subianto, a former son-in-law of Indonesia’s late dictator Suharto, was commander of the notorious Kopassus special forces.
He was accused of abuses -- including the kidnapping and disappearance of several pro-democracy activists -- in the lead-up to massive street demonstrations that brought down the regime in 1998.
Mr Subianto however has never been charged in relation to the allegations.