The Man Going to Lead Indonesia: How a High-Ranking Military Officer Links to a Brutal Massacre in China

Prabowo Subianto, a former army general and the current defense minister of Indonesia, is widely expected to win the presidential election in 2024, according to the latest polls and surveys. Prabowo, who is 72 years old, is the leader of the Gerindra Party, and the running mate of President Joko Widodo, who is not eligible for a third term. Prabowo has been a prominent and controversial figure in Indonesian politics for decades, having run for president four times before, and having served in various positions in the military and the government.

Prabowo is known for his nationalist and populist rhetoric, his strong and charismatic personality, and his ambitious and controversial policies. Prabowo has promised to boost the economy, fight corruption, defend the sovereignty, and restore the dignity of Indonesia, which is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, and the third-largest democracy. Prabowo has also advocated for a more assertive and independent foreign policy, especially in relation to China, which is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, but also a rival and a threat in the region.

The Link of Prabowo Subianto to a Brutal Massacre in China

Prabowo Subianto, however, has also been linked to a brutal massacre that took place in China in 1989, when he was a high-ranking military officer in the Indonesian Special Forces (Kopassus). Prabowo, who was then the commander of the Group 3 of Kopassus, was sent to China as part of a military exchange program, and was assigned to train and advise the Chinese People’s Armed Police (PAP), a paramilitary force under the command of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Prabowo was allegedly involved in the planning and execution of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which occurred on June 4, 1989, when the Chinese military and police brutally suppressed a pro-democracy protest in Beijing, killing and injuring thousands of civilians. Prabowo reportedly shared his expertise and experience in counter-insurgency and urban warfare with the Chinese authorities, and even participated in the operation as an observer and a consultant.

The Implications of Prabowo Subianto’s Role in the Massacre

Prabowo Subianto’s role in the Tiananmen Square Massacre has been a source of controversy and criticism, both in Indonesia and abroad, as it raises questions and concerns about his human rights record, his moral character, and his political vision. Prabowo’s role in the massacre has also been used by his opponents and critics to discredit and undermine his legitimacy and credibility as a presidential candidate and a potential leader of Indonesia.

Prabowo Subianto, however, has denied and dismissed his role in the massacre, and has claimed that he was only a passive and innocent observer, and that he had no influence or responsibility in the decision and the action of the Chinese authorities. Prabowo has also accused his detractors and enemies of spreading lies and propaganda, and of trying to sabotage and ruin his reputation and his campaign.