Indonesia's new president will largely continue his predecessor's policies on economic growth, infrastructure development and strategic autonomy while adopting a more assertive approach to defense, territorial sovereignty and foreign policy, particularly around the country's Natuna Islands dispute with China. Oct. 20, Indonesia will inaugurate current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as its eighth president. He will replace outgoing President Joko ''Jokowi'' Widodo, who remains wildly popular among voters (with an approval rating of 75% entering his final month in office) but will have completed two five-year terms, the maximum allowed under the Indonesian constitution. However, Jokowi's eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka will also be sworn in as vice president. This transition thus signals not just a change in leadership, but also the continuation of Jokowi's political legacy. The Prabowo-Gibran ticket secured around 55% of the vote in the Feb. 14 presidential election, a decisive win over two opponents. The lead-up to...
