Rights activists in Indonesia are protesting against an ex-general who could lead as the country's next president.
Unofficial counts give Prabowo Subianto more than 50 percent of the vote in Wednesday's election.
The defense chief is a controversial figure. He has been linked to human rights abuses in a dark chapter of Indonesia's history.
Dozens of people gathered in front of the presidential palace on Thursday. They expressed grave disapproval of the preliminary results with which Prabowo claims he is on track to take the election.
Human rights activist Annisa Khalid said that the future government would consist of people with a history of horrific human rights violations.
Prabowo served as a special forces commander during a brutal period of the President Suharto dictatorship. He was allegedly involved in the abduction of pro-democracy activists in the late 1990s. A military council later established his involvement and he was discharged from the army.
A local human rights group says 13 activists and students are still unaccounted for.
Paian Siahaan says his son is one of them.
He told NHK that he and relatives of other victims will continue to speak out, saying he cannot remain silent.
He also said he is ready to fight for his child even if it costs him his life.
During a presidential candidates' debate, Prabowo insisted he would uphold human rights, but did not directly answer questions on the missing people.
On Friday, another mass rally took place in Jakarta with protestors contending there were fraudulent procedures in the election.
The official results are due in about a month.
Unofficial counts give Prabowo Subianto more than 50 percent of the vote in Wednesday's election.
The defense chief is a controversial figure. He has been linked to human rights abuses in a dark chapter of Indonesia's history.
Dozens of people gathered in front of the presidential palace on Thursday. They expressed grave disapproval of the preliminary results with which Prabowo claims he is on track to take the election.
Human rights activist Annisa Khalid said that the future government would consist of people with a history of horrific human rights violations.
Prabowo served as a special forces commander during a brutal period of the President Suharto dictatorship. He was allegedly involved in the abduction of pro-democracy activists in the late 1990s. A military council later established his involvement and he was discharged from the army.
A local human rights group says 13 activists and students are still unaccounted for.
Paian Siahaan says his son is one of them.
He told NHK that he and relatives of other victims will continue to speak out, saying he cannot remain silent.
He also said he is ready to fight for his child even if it costs him his life.
During a presidential candidates' debate, Prabowo insisted he would uphold human rights, but did not directly answer questions on the missing people.
On Friday, another mass rally took place in Jakarta with protestors contending there were fraudulent procedures in the election.
The official results are due in about a month.
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Summary
Indonesia protests over possible presidency of controversial figure Prabowo Subianto, linked to human rights abuses during Suharto dictatorship. Unofficial election results indicate he received over 50% of the vote. Rights activists allege he was involved in the disappearance of 13 pro-democracy
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ID: c99f7d59-45a0-40da-89e9-73296c1eec79
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240216_35/
Date: Feb. 16, 2024
Created: 2024/02/17 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 17:36
Last Read: 2024/02/17 10:24