In a historic ceremony on Sunday, former General Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as the president of Indonesia, promising a bold vision for the future of the world’s fourth most populous nation. The 73-year-old leader, known for his fiery nationalism, took the oath in parliament, officially succeeding outgoing leader Joko Widodo.
“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, his voice resonating through the assembly.
Addressing lawmakers before proceeding to the presidential palace for the formal handover of power from Widodo—popularly known as Jokowi—the former defense minister vowed 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,” Prabowo stated passionately. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have to be courageous in looking at all of this, and we have to be courageous in solving these problems.”
Acknowledging the internal challenges facing the nation, including corruption and socioeconomic disparities, Prabowo emphasized the need for decisive action to address these issues.
On foreign policy, Prabowo has committed to maintaining Indonesia’s non-aligned stance but has signaled intentions to take a more assertive role on the world stage. Notably, he made China his first foreign visit after his election eight months ago, followed by trips to a dozen other countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, where he signed a key security deal.
Inheriting Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s largest nickel reserves, Prabowo takes the helm of a nation of 280 million people, about half of whom are under the age of 30. His landslide victory in the first round of the February vote was bolstered by bold campaign pledges, including a $28 billion free meal plan for children.
Security was heightened across 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 the ceremony proceeded without incident.
As Prabowo Subianto embarks on his presidency, the nation watches closely to see how his leadership will shape Indonesia’s future both domestically and internationally.
(With input from agencies)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
