Ex-General Prabowo Subianto Sworn In as Indonesia’s New President
Former General Prabowo Subianto was sworn in on Sunday as the president of Indonesia, marking a new chapter for the world’s fourth most populous nation. The 73-year-old nationalist leader took the oath in parliament, officially succeeding outgoing leader Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi.
“I swear that I will fulfill the duties of the president of the Republic of Indonesia as best as possible and as fair as possible, uphold the constitution, and implement all laws and regulations as strictly as possible,” Prabowo declared during the ceremony.
Before heading to the presidential palace, where President Jokowi was set to hand over the reins after a decade in power, Prabowo addressed lawmakers. In his speech, he pledged to be a president for all Indonesians, including those who did not vote for him.
“Do we realize that our people and our children are malnourished? So many of our people don’t have good jobs. So many of our schools are neglected,” he said, highlighting the internal issues that need urgent attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have to be courageous in looking at all of this, and we have to be courageous in solving these problems,” he added.
Prabowo acknowledged the challenges ahead, including tackling corruption and improving the welfare of Indonesia’s 280 million citizens, half of whom are under the age of 30. He emphasized his commitment to addressing these issues head-on.
On the international front, Prabowo has promised to maintain Indonesia’s non-aligned foreign policy while aiming to assert a bolder presence on the global stage. His first foreign visit after his election eight months ago was to China, followed by trips to Russia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and other nations, where he engaged in diplomatic talks and signed key agreements.
Prabowo’s victory in the February election was marked by a landslide in the first round, buoyed by bold campaign pledges such as a $28 billion free meal plan for children. As he takes office, he inherits Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s largest nickel reserves, positioning Indonesia as a significant player in global markets.
Security was heightened across the capital city of Jakarta ahead of the inauguration, with around 100,000 police and army personnel deployed, including riot squads, sniper units, and anti-drone teams, to ensure a smooth transition of power.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
