It didn't take Prabowo Subianto long to abandon his carefully cultivated image as an avuncular figure devoted to his cats.

The makeover, which propelled the former top general to the presidency of Indonesia after two failed attempts, served its purpose. His inaugural address in October was a very different story, replete with martial rhetoric and purpose. Citizens were urged to show patriotism, courage — and no small amount of ambition. Investors would welcome a bit less aspiration.

Prabowo didn't go as far as the republic’s first president, Sukarno, who 60 years ago declared an intent to live dangerously. Sukarno was on a collision course with capitalism and the U.S. — and didn’t survive. Prabowo's election win was decisive and he appears firmly in control of policy. That may be precisely the problem. From restoring the political role of the armed forces, to stretching fiscal covenants and bringing vast state-backed firms more directly into his orbit, he looks determined to reorient the entire direction of the country. The stakes are high. The Southeast Asian archipelago occupies a critical strategic spot along the equator. It’s the third-most populous country, the largest predominantly Muslim nation and is endowed with a rich trove of resources.