There was a time when Prabowo Subianto's name would have spooked most Indonesians. But now young voters appear to be charmed by the defence minister's slick makeover. The fiery ex-special forces commander, dogged by allegations of human rights abuses and disappearances, has become a cute grandfather made for memes.
Now 72, Mr Prabowo is running to succeed the popular Joko Widodo when Indonesia votes on 14 February. He is promising more stability and economic development. So far the polls put him ahead of his younger rivals, Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan. His running mate is Mr Widodo's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, which many see as a tacit blessing by the president.
But a Prabowo presidency alarms many who say he has never been held accountable for the alleged abduction and killing of pro-democracy student activists decades ago. A young voter who did not wish to be named said she is 'terrified' he will win: 'If he could be an accomplice of silencing voices then he will be silencing those voices now if he gets elected.'
Social media has been the cornerstone of his outreach. Millennials and Gen Z make up more than half of Indonesia's 205 million eligible voters. His official Facebook and affiliated accounts spent $144,000 in advertising over the past three months, almost double Mr Pranowo's spend and triple that of Mr Baswedan. The internet is filled with posters of Mr Prabowo as a chubby cartoon character, softening his image.
A spokesperson for Mr Prabowo's campaign said they were just trying to attract young people through a 'fun' campaign. Gen Z voter Rahayu Sartika Dewi said she is drawn to his plans to develop renewable energy and farming, calling the campaign 'very cute, fun and approachable'. Mr Prabowo has promised to create 19 million new jobs over the next five years.
