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Is Prabowo Subianto fit to lead Indonesia? Surgery sparks health speculation
- Rumours about the president-elect’s health ‘reflect anxieties’ about the chance his 36-year-old vice-president may have to take over, analysts say
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Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto recently underwent a major medical procedure, reigniting rumours about his health that analysts say “reflect anxieties” about his fitness for office and a scenario in which his 36-year-old vice-president has to take over.
In an Instagram post on Sunday night, Prabowo, 72, revealed he had undergone a “major operation” related to an injury to his left leg sustained during parachuting incidents while he served in the military in the 1980s.
“I am aware and understand that the medical procedure I am undergoing is full of risks to my life, I assure you that all of this is for the State and Nation,” Prabowo wrote in the post.
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“Thank God, 1 week ago, a team of doctors succeeded in carrying out medical treatment to restore the injury I had sustained. God willing, in the future, I will be even more prepared to serve the country and people of Indonesia,” he added.
He also thanked outgoing president Joko Widodo, 63, for paying him a visit as he recovers from the surgery.
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Prabowo, who is currently serving as defence minister, is poised to take over the presidency in October following his landslide victory in February’s election.
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