On Sunday, Prabowo Subianto assumed the presidency of Indonesia, the third-largest democracy in the world. He vowed to address internal problems like corruption and increase the nation’s level of self-sufficiency.
The 73-year-old has experienced an incredible metamorphosis; he went from being a former military commander confronted with unsubstantiated claims of human rights violations to winning the majority of polls and currently ruling the 280 million-person nation. Wearing a traditional black hat and navy suit with a woven maroon and golden sarong, Prabowo officially became Indonesia’s eighth president on Sunday morning after he was sworn in during a ceremony at Indonesia’s parliament.
Prabowo, who unsuccessfully ran for the presidency twice before, said in a fiery speech to lawmakers he would be president for all Indonesians and challenged the nation to help him face down the country’s problems. “We must always realise that a free nation is where the people are free,” Prabowo said, at times raising his voice. “They must be freed of fear, poverty, hunger, ignorance, oppression, suffering,” he said.n a wide-ranging speech lasting about an hour, Prabowo said self-sufficiency for food was possible within five years, while also pledging to become self-sufficient in energy.
The new president vowed to eradicate corruption and said that while he wanted to live in a democracy, it must be “polite”. “A difference of opinion must come without enmity … fighting without hating,” he said. Prabowo won the Feb. 14 contest with nearly 60% of the vote and has spent the past nine months building a formidable parliamentary coalition. He was joined in the swearing-in ceremony by his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 37, the eldest son of outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Later on Sunday, Prabowo announced his cabinet at the presidential palace. While it had of a mix of professional and political appointees, most of the economics-related ministers remained the same as those under Jokowi. One key announcement was for the foreign ministry, which will now be led by Sugiono, a former member of the army’s special forces.
The cabinet will be sworn in on Monday morning.Anneta Yuniar, a bystander who had excitedly waved at Jokowi’s motorcade as it slowly made its way past supporters before the ceremony, said she would miss Jokowi but that Prabowo was a strong leader. “Prabowo will continue the development that Jokowi started. There’s continuity. It’s what I want,” she said.
Jokowi has left an indelible mark on the nation of 280 million, presiding over a period of strong economic growth and massive infrastructure development. Critics also say, though, his rule has been marked by a rise in old-time patronage and dynastic politics, and they warn about diminished integrity in courts and other state institutions.
Indonesian police and military have put in place strict security measures, deploying at least 100,000 personnel across the city, including snipers and anti-riot units.
Prabowo met with foreign dignitaries, including a number of heads of state, on Sunday at the presidential palace. China sent Vice President Han Zheng to the inauguration, while the delegation from the United States is being led by US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Source: Here