Indonesia to release election results amid security threats, opposition rejection
More than 32,000 troops are being deployed in Jakarta today to beef up security following the release of official results for presidential and parliamentary elections.
The release confirmed incumbent President Joko Widodo won the presidential race against ex-general Probowo Subianto. Mr Subianto has refused to concede the election thus far and he plans to formally appeal the result, alleging massive election fraud.
While Subianto’s supporters have pledged to protest peacefully, Indonesian authorities are more concerned about the possibility of an attack by ISIS-linked militants. Following the arrest of nearly 30 Jemaah Ansharut Daulah militants—the largest ISIS-linked group in Indonesia—last week, the US Embassy in Jakarta issued a security alert ahead of the release of electoral results, pointing to Indonesian intelligence reports that warn of an increased likelihood of attacks.
With Mr Subianto pledging to appeal the results, mass protests will likely only be the beginning of various challenges facing Mr Widodo in the coming term. While the threat of extremism remains an ongoing security risk, officials are specifically worried about the possibility of a bomb detonated via WiFi network. Should a larger attack take place—or should the coming protests turn violent—we could see Mr Widodo crack down on dissent in a bid to consolidate power and solidify his victory.
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