Indonesia is the south eastern country of Asia, its’ official name is Indonesian Republic, the inhabitants of this land are freedom lovers,they fought a long freedom war against colonial rule and liberated their country. This country is spread across a chain of thousands of large and small islands between Asia and Australia.
This country is known for the world’s largest muslim population, it is rich in huge human and natural resources. It is considered the biggest economy of Southeast Asia, the diversity of more than 700 local languages, different religions and existing of racial entities, the people range from rural hunter gatherers to a modern urban elite.
This country has a magnificent past of sophisticated kingdoms existed before the arrival of the Duch. The Duch east india company occupied this resourceful land in the garb of traders, like that of British East india Company did in India. The colonial rule ended in 1949, as a result of long armed struggle of the people of Indonesia. The freedom leader of Indonesians was a dynamic, wise and bold man,known as Dr.Abdul Rahim Suekarno. Dr.Suekarno was chosen by the nation as the First President of independent Indonesia. Dr.Abdul Rahim Suekarno was a man of Letters, he will always remain in the memories of the people of Pakistan, because he boldly supported Pakistan on Ksshmir issue, he also helped Pakistan,when war broke between India and Pakistan in September 1965. He stood with Pakistan at that difficult time. He fully supported Pakistan morally,materially and militarily . At that critical juncture of Pakistans’ history,he put all his resources specially Indonesian navy at the disposal of Pakistan. This generous offer of the president of Indonesia strengthened the Pakistans’ Navy, and India could not dare to attack coastal cities of Pakistan.
This heroic act of president Suekarno made him the apple of eyes of the People of Pakistan. In 1966, there occured a bloody coup in Indonesia, that incident was a matter of grief and pain for Pakistan. Indonesia faced such an unfortunate political crises, that changed the political scenario of the area.
This political dilemma sealed the career of Suekarno as a President and politician. General Suhartu replaced him and continued to rule Indonesia till his decline. After the long rule of general Suhartu, Indonesia once again came in lime light, when the process of fair and free election started there. The peoples’ elected governments got a chance to work for the development and prosperity of the country. The remarkable struggle, zeal and wish of the government and people of Indonesia put the country on the path of democracy, sustainability and progress. Now within a short span of time the country became one of the most powerful and growing economy of the region, perhaps it became the 7th emerging economies of the world. It was the presidential election of 2014, when the present president “Jokowi” proved himself the most popular elected president of Indonesia. The president Jokowi belongs to a new breed of politicians that emerged in the fledgling and fit era of democracy. He is famous as relatively untainted of corruption, upright and popular among the people. He is liked because of his humble background. Before entering in politics, Mr. Jokowi was recognized as a renowned and honest businessman. Soon after entering in politics, by dint of hard work and God gifted ability, he rose from city mayor to presidentship, like that of President Tayyab Erdogan of Türkiye.
The Presidentship of Mr. Jokowi can be considered, a new dawn of positive change for Indonesia, this era witnessed historical changes, the country started runing at the path of prosperity and political stability. The people of Indonesia once again adopted the path to fulfill their dreams of the best future. Their wish for the achievement of goals defined and promised at the time of independence were now seeming possible. After taking office, the President Jokowi embarked on a path of economic growth and infrastructure development as well as the best health and education agenda. The best efforts were made with best planning, now an exemplary infrastructure has been developed, renovation of the railway system is made possible to track on the fastest trains,an amazing advancement in health and education sectors is successfully accomplished, the targets of proposed agenda are almost seriously undertook to the best satisfaction of the people of Indonesia. This all is done before the completion of the president Jokowis’ second term. According to the constitution of Indonesia,the president can serve for only two terms,now the last successful term of the President is near to end in 2024. The Indonesia is going to hold next presidential election in February, 2024. According to political experts, the scheduled elections will be most competitive.
There are three presidential candidates in the race, all of whom have selected running mates vying for the vice president. The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)
has chosen former governor of Central Java province, Ganjar Pranawo, as its’ candidate. He has announced the country’s Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD as his running mate.
Mr.Ganjar is known and liked for his political style of President Jokowi, this style is helping him to gain sympathy from gross roots movements. One more thing that is giving him an upper edge, is his clear stance against Zionist Israel, this may help him to sweep the huge anti Israel vote.
The second presidential candidate is Anies Baswedon,former governor of Jakarta,the capital of Indonesia. His running mate is Muhaimin Iskandar,leader of the Islamic National Awakening Party ( PKB)- One of the most powerful religious party in the country.
The third presidential candidate is Prabowo Subianto,who is making his 4th attempt at securing top job following 2009, 2014 and 2019.
Prabowos running mate is Jokowis’ eldest son Gibran Rakabuming. Mr.Raka who is mayor of Jakarta, is young energetic and popular among youngsters.He is about 36 years old,the half in age of 72 year old Subianto. The support of Gibran to Subianto may be game changer in favour of Subianto.
Only 3 months are left to the February, 2024 elections, opinion polls are predicting a neck-and-neck contest between Subianto and pranowo. But in run a runoff between the two,which would be held if no candidate is able to share up more than 50% of the votes in the first race, anyone’s success would be dependent on the supporters’ of the third one to win the presidency.
