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Prabowo Subianto | |
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 | |
| Born | 17 October 1951 Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Political party | Gerindra |
Prabowo Subianto Joyohadikusumu (born 17 October 1951) is an Indonesian politician and presidential candidate. He is running against Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo and is a supporter of the former dictator Suharto.[1]
Military career[edit | edit source]
East Timor[edit | edit source]
Prabowo commanded the unit that murdered East Timor's first prime minister, Nicolau Lobato, in 1978. In 1983, he undermined a peace process between the Indonesian military and future Timorese president Xanana Gusmão. In 1985, he attended the School of the Americas.[1]
West Papua[edit | edit source]
In 1996, Prabowo hired South African mercenaries while fighting against West Papuan independence fighters. After releasing international researchers who had been taken hostage, they killed up to 200 civilians.[1]
Political career[edit | edit source]
In 2020, President Joko Widodo appointed Prabowo as Defense Minister of Indonesia. He has run for other elected offices but has never won before.[1]