Indonesian President Joko Widodo has awarded an honorary four-star general rank to Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, a former high-ranking army officer with a controversial past. The ceremony took place in Jakarta in front of top military and police officials. This honorary promotion is a significant gesture, as a four-star general is the second-highest military rank in Indonesia and is typically held by the military leader.
Widodo emphasized that the award is a recognition of Subianto's dedication to the people, nation, and state. Subianto, aged 72, is closely linked to human rights abuses, including allegations of involvement in abuses during his time as commander of the army special forces, Kopassus. These abuses include the torture of activists who opposed the authoritarian leader Suharto.
