Former general Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as Indonesia’s president on Sunday, aiming to elevate the country’s role on the global stage. At 73, the outspoken nationalist, previously accused of human rights abuses during his military service, officially took over from outgoing president Joko Widodo.
In his inaugural address to parliament, Prabowo promised to serve all Indonesians, including those who did not support him in the election. He vowed to prioritize fighting corruption and upholding democracy.
“We will lead by putting the interests of every Indonesian first,” he said.
While Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia’s non-aligned foreign policy, he hinted at taking a more assertive stance internationally. His first visit post-election was to China, followed by trips to Russia, Australia, and other key nations.
Prabowo’s victory in the February elections came with a significant margin, aided by his running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 37-year-old son of Widodo. After taking the oath, the former defense minister addressed lawmakers who cheered him on. He expressed Indonesia’s desire for peaceful relations with other countries while asserting the nation’s resolve to defend its sovereignty.
“We want to be a good neighbor,” he declared. “But we will not allow any country to disrupt our peace.”
Following his inauguration, Prabowo greeted supporters at the presidential palace, alongside former president Jokowi, with whom he had previously competed in two elections. He then unveiled his cabinet, appointing Sugiono as the new foreign minister, along with returning ministers Rosan Perkasa Roeslani (investment), Sri Mulyani Indrawati (finance), and Erick Thohir (state-owned enterprises).
Several international leaders and diplomats attended the ceremony, including Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory message, emphasizing the importance of maintaining close ties with Indonesia under Prabowo’s leadership.
As tens of thousands lined Jakarta’s streets, 20-year-old student Calissa Putri shared her hopes for the new administration. “I hope they can fulfill their promises and focus on the well-being of the people,” she said.
However, Prabowo’s human rights record has raised concerns. He has been accused of ordering the abduction of democracy activists during the final years of Suharto’s regime, allegations he denies. Despite past visa denials from the U.S. and Australia, Prabowo has managed to rebuild diplomatic relations with both nations.
Observers remain cautious about what Prabowo’s presidency could mean for democracy and human rights in Indonesia.
In his recent campaigns, Prabowo worked to revamp his image, appealing to younger voters by presenting himself as a more relatable, elder statesman. His partnership with Gibran drew some criticism over claims of nepotism, especially after the age limit for presidential candidates was lowered by Jokowi’s brother-in-law, who was then the chief justice.
Prabowo’s focus now shifts to continuing Indonesia’s post-pandemic recovery. While Jokowi led the nation through COVID-19 and achieved steady growth, Prabowo has set an ambitious target of eight percent economic growth. Yet, his true challenge will be balancing Indonesia’s economic ties with China and its security partnerships with the U.S. and Australia, according to experts.
