In the upcoming presidential election in Indonesia on Wednesday, General Prabowo Subianto is emerging as a serious contender for the presidency. However, concerns are rising about Subianto's authoritarian track record, which includes involvement in mass killings, abductions, and torture across Indonesia, occupied East Timor, and independence-seeking Western New Guinea. Subianto, who was once referred to as a "fascist dictator," has close ties to the United States and is the son-in-law of former Indonesian dictator, General Suharto.

Investigative reporter Allan Nairn, who has spent decades covering Indonesia and East Timor, has shed light on Subianto's violent past. Nairn reveals that Subianto was the U.S. protégé during the period when he carried out mass killings and human rights abuses. Prabowo admitted receiving training from the U.S. military and collaborated with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency during his time of kidnapping activists. Shockingly, Pentagon documents support his claims, showing that U.S. troops conducted reconnaissance and contingency plans for a potential invasion of Indonesia while Subianto was in power.

Subianto's involvement in the massacres in East Timor, where hundreds of civilians were killed, and his role in directing political assassinations in Aceh and West Papua have earned him notoriety. Despite his controversial past and his attempt to seize power through multiple coup attempts, Subianto now enjoys support from the incumbent government and President Joko Widodo. This backing has emboldened him to vie for the presidency, raising concerns about voter fraud and intimidation.

Reports suggest that the state apparatus is being mobilized to intimidate and threaten poor voters, explicitly warning them that they must vote for Subianto to avoid trouble and the cutoff of essential government rations. Moreover, accusations have emerged that senior military and intelligence officials discussed plans for voter fraud to ensure Subianto surpasses the 50% threshold required to win the election.

Interestingly, Joko Widodo's alliance with Subianto has left many Indonesians outraged. Despite initial promises to hold Prabowo and other generals accountable for war crimes, Jokowi chose to bring Subianto into his government after the general backed street riots that involved mass looting and burning in Jakarta. The president's son was also made Prabowo's vice-presidential running mate, despite being underage according to Indonesian law.

The election outcome holds significant implications for Indonesia, with Subianto hinting at modifying the presidency's power structure to potentially become a virtual dictator. As the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia's democratic future is at stake, especially with the support Prabowo has garnered from the state apparatus and the military.

With over 52% of the electorate comprised of voters under the age of 40, concerns arise about the younger generation being swayed by Subianto's rebranding efforts. Misinformation, combined with the incumbent president's support, has generated a campaign that portrays the notorious general as a cuddly cartoon character, potentially influencing those unaware of his violent history.

As the election draws near, the international community is watching closely, mindful of Indonesia's past atrocities. The hope remains that democracy will prevail, free from voter intimidation and fraud, and that the nation will be spared a return to the authoritarian rule associated with its most infamous general.