South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, left, talks with Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto throughout their assembly on the Presidential palace in Jakarta, Sunday. Reuters-Yonhap
Former common Prabowo Subianto was sworn in Sunday as president of Indonesia, searching for a extra outstanding place on the worldwide stage for the world’s fourth most populous nation.
The 73-year-old fiery nationalist — accused of rights abuses throughout his time within the army — took the oath at parliament to formally succeed outgoing chief Joko Widodo.
“We are going to lead the Indonesian authorities… by prioritising the pursuits of all Indonesian folks, together with those that didn’t vote for us,” he stated, pledging to deal with corruption and shield democracy.
Prabowo has dedicated himself to Indonesia’s non-aligned overseas coverage, however has signalled that he might be bolder on the world stage.
He made China his first overseas go to after his election eight months in the past, earlier than embarking on journeys to a dozen different international locations together with Russia and Australia, the place he signed a key safety deal.
Prabowo gained by a first-round landslide within the February vote, helped by the assist of working mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 37-year-old son of Widodo.
After his swearing-in, the previous defence minister, wearing conventional apparel, addressed lawmakers who chanted his title.
He spoke of sticking to Indonesia’s impartial overseas coverage however stated territorial defence could be a precedence.
“We wish to be the nice neighbour,” he stated.
“We do not wish to disturb different international locations, however we is not going to let any international locations disturb us.”
Prabowo then went to the presidential palace in Jakarta, shaking fingers with supporters earlier than a handover ceremony with Widodo, extra popularly generally known as Jokowi, a former rival to whom he misplaced two election races.
Indonesia’s newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto, proper, shakes fingers with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo upon their assembly on the Presidential palace in Jakarta, Sunday. Reuters-Yonhap
A number of dozen diplomats attended the inauguration, together with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, British overseas minister David Lammy and Chinese language Vice President Han Zheng.
Chinese language President Xi Jinping despatched a congratulatory message Sunday, saying he would preserve “shut strategic communication” with Prabowo, state broadcaster CCTV stated.
Tens of 1000’s lined the streets of Jakarta amid heightened safety as Prabowo grew to become Indonesia’s eighth chief for the reason that nation achieved independence in 1945.
“I hope that the imaginative and prescient and mission that they’ve created will be applied, prioritising the welfare of the folks,” stated Calissa Putri, a 20-year-old scholar, of Prabowo and Gibran.
Whereas supporters hailed his ascent to the presidency, critics have pointed to a chequered previous.
NGOs and his former army bosses accuse Prabowo of ordering the kidnapping of democracy activists on the finish of dictator Suharto’s rule within the late Nineties.
The Fee for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence stated 13 activists kidnapped between 1997 and 1998 stay lacking.
Prabowo was discharged from the army over the abductions, however denied the allegations.
The US as soon as refused to offer Prabowo a visa due to his rights file, and he was additionally reportedly as soon as included on a blacklist in Australia.
“Considerations stay about what Prabowo’s ascension could imply for democracy and human rights,” stated Parker Novak, nonresident fellow on the Atlantic Council.
A marketing campaign to rehabilitate Prabowo’s fame gained over youthful voters within the final election, with the previous common remodelling himself as a grandfatherly determine.
The addition of Gibran to the ticket prompted accusations of nepotism after age limits for candidates had been lowered final 12 months by Jokowi’s brother-in-law, then the chief justice.
Gibran’s reputation is tied to his father, who took Indonesia out of the Covid-19 pandemic comparatively unscathed and again to five-percent development.
Jokowi’s successor has set an excellent greater goal of eight % development.
However consultants say a much bigger problem lies forward on the world stage.
“He must navigate inevitable pressure between his nation’s intensive financial relationship with China and rising safety relationships with the US and Australia,” stated Novak. (AFP)
