JAKARTA, Oct 20 — Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto took over as president of the world’s third-largest democracy today, vowing to combat internal issues like corruption that plague the country and to make it more self-sufficient.
The 73-year-old has undergone a remarkable transformation, from being a former military commander facing unproven allegations of rights abuses to sweeping the polls and now leading the country of 280 million people.
Wearing a traditional black hat and navy suit with a woven maroon and golden sarong, Prabowo officially became Indonesia’s eighth president today 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 that 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. They must be freed of fear, poverty, hunger, ignorance, oppression, suffering,” Prabowo said, at times raising his voice.
In a wide-ranging speech lasting about an hour, he 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,” Prabowo said.
He won the February 14 contest with nearly 60 per cent of the vote, and has spent the past nine months building a formidable Parliamentary coalition.
Prabowo was joined in the swearing-in ceremony by his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 37, the eldest son of outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Greeting supporters
After his speech, Prabowo wore a baseball cap and waved through a car sunroof as he made his way to the presidential palace, passing thousands of flag-waving supporters thronging Jakarta’s streets in a festival-like atmosphere.
Flower boards outside the palace either congratulated Prabowo and Gibran or thanked Jokowi for his decade of service.
Jokowi supporters are also attending the celebrations to bid farewell to Indonesia’s outgoing leader.
Bystander Anneta Yuniar, 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 is continuity. It is 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.
Yet critics have opined that his administration has been marked by a rise in old-time patronage and dynastic politics, warning of 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 is expected to meet with foreign dignitaries, including several heads of state later today at the Presidential Palace, said the presidential communications organisation’s head Hasan Nasbi.
China sent Vice President Han Zheng to the inauguration, while the delegation from the United States (US) is being led by US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Prabowo also touched on foreign policy during his speech, saying Indonesia was non-aligned on the global stage, but that he stood in support of the Palestinian people and that Jakarta is ready to send more aid to Gaza.
During his campaign, Prabowo billed himself to voters and investors alike as the “continuity candidate”.
But past allegations against Prabowo of involvement in the kidnapping of student activists and human rights abuses in Papua and East Timor have also raised concern about Indonesia’s democratic trajectory, according to human rights advocates.
Prabowo has always denied the allegations that led to his dismissal from the military in 1998, the same year Indonesia broke free from the decades-long authoritarian rule of former president Suharto.
— Reuters
