News analysis

US likely to look past Prabowo’s alleged human rights record for strategic, economic reasons

Indonesia's incoming president Prabowo Subianto was denied a US visa in 2000, reportedly because of his human rights record. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The United States will not hold back from embracing the incoming presidency of Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto for strategic and economic reasons, despite previous concerns about his alleged human rights abuses.

“Realpolitik has always reigned supreme in Washington,” said Mr Vikram Nehru, senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.