Prabowo’s first 100 days: Populist wins but slowdown risks loom

[JAKARTA] With an approval rating of more than 80 per cent and a focus on populist programmes during his first 100 days in office (as at Jan 28), Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has won his country’s heart – but critics warned he will need more than charm to shield it from a looming economic slowdown.

The last three months have been a “warm-up lap” with Prabowo still operating in “business as usual” mode and yet to fully accelerate his ambitious goals, said Yose Rizal Damuri, executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

“There is much to be done and improved, especially now that the world is in a fragile state with Trump’s re-election,” he added.