The defence minister, Prabowo Subianto who exit polls suggest won comfortably, declared victory soon after voting ended though his rivals were yet to concede. His ascent to power is tinged with concerns that ripple through the very fabric of his country’s democratic credentials. Subianto is scheduled to take over as the President in October this year.

Accusations of interference in the electoral process, arbitrary cancellation of Opposition rallies and intimidation of critics deepen democratic fissures. Incidentally, such gaps have opened wider in the recent years.

If Subianto's policies are stated to be one of continuation of that of his predecessor Joko Widodo, there is cause for concern. Apart from ambitious plans to relocate the Capital of Jakarta, there is a worrying continuity of crackdown on civil society and press freedom. Such apprehensions are not unfounded given Subianto's past. It includes kidnapping of democracy activists in the 1990s and ordering massacres in East Timor in the 1980s.

More skeletons tumble out of Subianto's closet. It is troubling that he is the only candidate who did not reply to a questionnaire on human rights issues. Subianto cannot wish away the fact that the human rights issue is crucial to voters as well as the country's democratic health. But then he will be having time and authority in his hands to shape his views.

Many are of the view that Subianto turning out to be an autocrat is a farfetched apprehension. But the fact remains that weakening of democratic institution during Widodo's presidency has left Indonesia vulnerable.

Moving to the economic front to find out the cost of victory to Indonesia one cannot bin the fear that the growth of Widodo period may continue only at the cost of democratic principles. At stake is the delicate balance between democratic values and progress. The strength of Indonesian democracy does not lie in the hands of its leaders. It rests on the resilience of the people to uphold democratic principles.

The international community has to maintain a vigilant watch owing to Indonesia's strategic heft. The country is a crucial trade partner for India being a top supplier of edible oils together with association in the defence sector an acknowledgement of which came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Subianto after election results were out and the latter reciprocated.

The role Subianto will play between China and US will be under the scanner. India's interest does not lie very far away from it. Indonesia is navigating a difficult political terrain. Its civil society and media must stand together to protect the hard fought gains of a reformist era.

Growing militarisation of Indo-Pacific by US allies is not in the interest of Indonesia. How Subianto approach the challenge could shape his legacy. The world's third largest democracy is at a cross roads. The will of the people can go a long way in overcoming any fragility to the system. (IPA Service)