Subianto lost two previous presidential elections to Widodo, and the Constitutional Court rejected his bids to overturn each of those results because of unfounded fraud allegations.
Questions also are still unanswered about Subianto’s alleged links to torture, disappearances and other human rights abuses in the final years of the brutal Suharto dictatorship, in which he served as a special forces lieutenant general.
It’s uncertain how Subianto will respond to political dissent, street protests and critical journalism, as many activists see his links to the Suharto regime as a threat.
Subianto was expelled by the army over accusations that he played a role in the kidnappings and torture of activists and other abuses. He never faced a trial and vehemently denies any involvement, although several of his men were tried and convicted.
Everyone should read The Jakarta Method. The history of the Suharto regime is barely ever discussed in the West, but it was probably the most brutal and murderous American-supported dictatorship excepting maybe Pol Pot.
Or watch the documentary ‘the act of killing’ it’s a harrowing piece of oak history where the perpetrators of the anti communist purges revisit their crimes without any shed of remorse.