Can banned ex-general Prabowo Subianto become next Indonesian president?

Indonesia´s Defence Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech as he attends the Gerindra Party anniversary in Sanur in Denpasar on Indonesia´s resort island of Bali on February 6, 2024. — AFP

There was a time when ex-general Prabowo Subianto's name was used to terrify the people of Indonesia.

But today, his polished transformation seems to be winning over young people. The former fiery leader of special forces, plagued by claims of violations of human rights and disappearances, has evolved into a charming Tiktok star, BBC reported.

During his time in the army, he was also banned from the United States (US) over human rights violations.

At 72, Subianto is running for the presidency to take over from current President Joko Widodo against Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan. He is promising more of the stability and economic development that Widodo pushed during his decade in power.

According to the surveys, Subianto is leading the polls.

Subianto's running mate is Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. It's a choice that many see as a tacit blessing by the president, who has yet to endorse anyone.

But a Subianto presidency is also alarming to many, who say he has never been held accountable for the alleged abduction and killing of pro-democracy student activists decades ago.

Subianto, in his election campaign, has been strategically targeting a generation that has no memory of the time when he rose to the peak of his power through videos via TikTok.

In a bid to seem more relatable, cats are also a part of his social media campaign.

Twenty five years on, young voters say they would rather judge Subianto on how he tackles unemployment and the cos

t of living. He has promised to create 19 million new jobs over the next five years.