Prabowo Dismisses Allegations of Being Jokowi’s Puppet
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id – President Prabowo Subianto has rejected allegations that he is a puppet of former president Joko Widodo, saying such claims undermine the principles of leadership and statesmanship. His remarks were delivered on Monday, May 5, 2025, during a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, amid growing public scrutiny over the political influence Jokowi may still hold following Indonesia’s recent power transition.
“They call me a puppet president. They say I’m being controlled by President Jokowi. As if Jokowi is calling me every night,” Prabowo said, directly addressing speculation that his administration merely extends his predecessor’s.
Prabowo, who won Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election after two previous defeats, now governs the world’s third-largest democracy alongside Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka—Jokowi’s eldest son. Their joint ticket, combining Prabowo’s military credentials and Jokowi’s populist legacy, had raised questions about political continuity and the former president’s behind-the-scenes role.
Still, Prabowo made clear that while he does consult Jokowi, such discussions are a normal part of sound governance. “It is true that we consult. A wise leader consults, asks for opinions, asks for advice. He led this country for ten years. I see no issue in meeting with him,” he said.
The former general stressed that his respect for institutional knowledge extends beyond Jokowi. He has also reached out to Megawati Soekarnoputri, Indonesia’s fifth president and matriarch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), as well as Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the sixth president and founder of the Democratic Party.
“I’ve met with President Yudhoyono, no issue. I’ve consulted with Madam Megawati, no issue. I would also consult with Gus Dur, Suharto, and Bung Karno if I could,” Prabowo said, referring to late presidents Abdurrahman Wahid, Suharto, and Indonesia’s founding father Sukarno.
These statements come as Indonesia enters a new political era where dynastic ties, military backgrounds, and legacy alliances shape power dynamics. The Prabowo-Gibran pairing has drawn both optimism and concern—optimism for policy continuity, especially in infrastructure and welfare, and concern over democratic backsliding through entrenched familial power.
Prabowo also took aim at lingering controversies, including conspiracy theories targeting Jokowi’s academic records. “Now they question Jokowi’s diploma. Next, they’ll start asking about mine too, right?” he said with a half-joking tone.
The political tension reflects broader debates within Indonesia about institutional trust, generational leadership, and the balance between legacy and independence. Prabowo’s assertive denial appears designed to reassert his authority as the country’s new president while positioning himself as a leader who both honors the past and moves beyond it.