Natalie Sambhi: Prabowo Between Protest and Power Politics

On this episode of Pacific Polarity, Natalie Sambhi, Executive Director of Verve Research, discussed how Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is caught between protest and power politics, navigating domestic unrest while striving for a place on the world stage. Dr Sambhi explains how Prabowo’s push to be seen at major international fora reflects Indonesia’s ambitions as a Global South power, even as China looms large in its hedging strategy and Western partners fret over Jakarta’s openness to multiple alignments. At home, Prabowo faces mounting demonstrations and a legacy of military influence that continues to shape Indonesian politics, though the army remains a deeply trusted institution. The conversation explores how these internal and external dynamics intersect, and what they reveal about Indonesia’s balancing act between stability at home and relevance abroad.

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