Former General Prabowo Subianto was officially sworn in on Sunday as the president of Indonesia, aiming to elevate the nation's presence on the global stage. The 73-year-old nationalist took the oath in parliament, succeeding outgoing leader Joko Widodo, widely known as Jokowi.
In his inaugural speech, Prabowo pledged to uphold the constitution and implement all laws diligently. \"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,\" he stated.
Addressing lawmakers, the former defense minister emphasized his commitment to serve all Indonesians, including those who did not vote for him. He acknowledged pressing internal issues such as corruption, malnutrition, high unemployment rates, and neglected educational institutions. \"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 remarked. He called for courage in addressing these challenges, urging collective efforts to find solutions.
Prabowo has committed to maintaining Indonesia's non-aligned foreign policy while signaling a more assertive role internationally. His first foreign visit post-election was to China, followed by trips to Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, where he secured a significant security agreement.
As president, Prabowo inherits Southeast Asia's largest economy and the world's largest nickel reserves, governing a nation of 280 million people, half of whom are under 30 years old. His victory in the February election was decisive, propelled by bold campaign promises, including a $28 billion free meal plan for children.
Security measures were significantly heightened across Jakarta ahead of the inauguration, with approximately 100,000 police and army personnel deployed, including riot squads, sniper units, and anti-drone teams, ensuring a smooth transition of power.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
