A few short months ago, Joko Widodo, the Indonesian president, and Prabowo Subianto, a former military general with a chequered human rights record, were bitter rivals at the ballot box.

On Wednesday, Mr Joko, 57, now entering his second term, shocked many in the Southeast Asian nation, by brushing their political enmity aside to appoint Mr Prabowo, 67, as his defence minister.

The decision to include the once feared former special forces commander in the new cabinet, has raised concerns that the new administration will prioritise economic growth and political stability over civil rights and democracy.

The move follows several weeks of violent unrest and mass demonstrations across the country over a draconian draft penal code that would curb civil liberties and freedom of speech, prevent the demilitarisation of the restive Papua region, and undermine environmental concerns.

News of Mr Prabowo’s elevation has caused disquiet. As the son-in-law and commander of special forces under the late dictator Suharto, he was accused of orchestrating the kidnapping and torture of activists ahead of anti-government protests in 1998.

West Papuan protesters are calling for independence for their regionCredit:
AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

He has never been charged, but allegations of rights abuses reportedly led to his discharge from the military he will now oversee and a ban for several years from entering the US.

Usman Hamid, Amnesty International’s Indonesia director, called the appointment “a dark day for human rights in this country”.

The rapprochement also marks a remarkable turnaround for the two men.

Mr Prabowo, a fiery nationalist who courted Islamic hardliners during the campaign, refused to concede defeat after the April poll, accusing Mr Joko’s camp of “massive cheating” and launching an unsuccessful legal challenge.

At least nine people died and more than 200 were injured during riots over the contested result.

However, the president welcomed him with words of praise.

“I believe I don’t have to tell him about his job ─ he knows more than I do,” he said. The former general, who promised an increase in defence spending during his candidacy, revealed little about future plans for his new job.

“I will learn about the recent situation and then start working,” he said, according to the Jakarta Post.