JAKARTA, Indonesia: Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated as Indonesia’s eighth president on October 20, vowing to prioritize the well-being of all Indonesians in his administration.
During his inaugural address at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) in Jakarta, Prabowo, alongside his vice president, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, promised to serve all citizens, including those who did not vote for him. Prabowo emphasized that many Indonesians still face hardships, and his administration aims to address these challenges by improving living conditions across the nation.
Prabowo, a former defence minister, succeeded Joko Widodo (Jokowi), with Gibran, Jokowi’s son, as his vice-presidential running mate. The leadership transition is expected to continue Indonesia’s political stability and enhance its standing on the global stage. Clad in traditional Javanese attire, Prabowo took his oath of office, vowing to uphold the Constitution and laws of the republic.
The inauguration was attended by high-level international figures, including representatives from Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, China, and the United States. Prabowo secured more than 58% of the vote in the February 14 election, defeating candidates Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan.
In his speech, Prabowo outlined plans for a free-lunch program, a central component of his campaign. The government has allocated 71 trillion rupiah (approximately $6 billion) to support the initiative, which aims to combat poverty and stunting by providing free meals to children and pregnant women.
Prabowo has also set an ambitious goal for Indonesia’s economic growth, targeting an 8% annual increase, up from the current 5%. He expressed his desire for Indonesia to take a more active role in global diplomacy, aiming for strong international friendships and peaceful relations.
