Prabowo Subianto Vows to Fight Corruption as Indonesia’s New President

Berita Baru, Jakarta – Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s newly sworn-in president, has pledged to combat corruption and lead the country towards self-sufficiency. The 73-year-old former general took the oath of office in a ceremony at the parliament on Sunday, succeeding outgoing populist leader Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Dressed in a traditional black hat and a navy suit with a maroon and gold woven sarong, Prabowo addressed the parliament and nation as Indonesia’s eighth president. “A difference of opinion must come without enmity … fighting without hating,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a democratic but respectful atmosphere, Reported from the Aljazeera page on Sunday (20/10/2024).

In his inaugural speech, Prabowo laid out his vision for a free nation, saying, “We must always realize that a free nation is where the people are free. They must be freed of fear, poverty, hunger, ignorance, oppression, suffering.” He called on all Indonesians to unite and help address the country’s challenges.

Prabowo, who won the February 14 presidential election with nearly 60% of the vote, was joined by his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of Jokowi. The new president also acknowledged his predecessors and emphasized continuity in development, a sentiment echoed by supporters like Anneta Yuniar. “Prabowo will continue the development that Jokowi started. There’s continuity. It’s what I want,” Yuniar said.

Despite assurances of continuity, analysts anticipate that Prabowo’s presidency will bring some shifts in focus. “I think there will be a significant difference in the focus of building human capital,” said Tobias Basuki, managing director of Jakarta-based risk assessment firm Aristoteles Consults, contrasting it with Widodo’s emphasis on infrastructure.

Foreign policy under Prabowo is also expected to shift, with Basuki predicting a “more flamboyant and grand” approach compared to Widodo’s more inward-focused stance. Prabowo is likely to balance Indonesia’s relationships with both China and the United States, with Chinese President Xi Jinping sending congratulations and expressing a desire for continued “close strategic communication” with the new administration.

Security was tight for the swearing-in ceremony, with at least 100,000 personnel deployed across Jakarta, including snipers and anti-riot units. After the ceremony, Prabowo greeted thousands of supporters in a festive atmosphere as he traveled to the presidential palace.

Prabowo’s election marks his fourth attempt at the presidency, but his message of unity, democracy, and development has resonated with many Indonesians as he takes the helm of the world’s fourth most populous nation.