JAKARTA — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reignites debate over power and governance after arguing that firmer executive authority may be necessary to curb entrenched corruption, remarks that draw both support and alarm across Southeast Asia.
Speaking at a Jakarta economic forum, Prabowo dismisses criticism that his leadership style veers toward authoritarianism, telling business and policy leaders that extraordinary measures may be required as corruption remains deeply rooted in Indonesian society.
His comments come days after Transparency International releases its latest Corruption Perceptions Index, where Indonesia slips to 109th place worldwide, reinforcing public frustration over stalled reforms despite years of pledges to clean up government.
Prabowo, a former general elected president in 2024, has repeatedly invoked the legacy of strong leadership, including that of ex-dictator Suharto, a stance that unsettles rights advocates and recalls Indonesia’s authoritarian past marked by repression and alleged abuses.
Critics warn that concentrating power rarely delivers fair accountability. Activists from Indonesia Corruption Watch argue that genuine reform depends on independent courts, credible watchdogs, and transparency rather than rhetoric or force, cautioning that authoritarian approaches often result in selective enforcement.
Supporters counter that tough governance can work, pointing to regional examples such as Singapore, which combines strict law enforcement with low tolerance for graft. Public opinion polls show Prabowo enjoying approval ratings near 80 percent, with many Indonesians crediting his image as a decisive leader.
Analysts, however, say corruption outcomes hinge less on political systems than on the rule of law and accountability. Without safeguards like a free press and independent institutions, they warn, anti-corruption drives risk becoming tools to shield allies and punish rivals rather than instruments of lasting reform.