By Ananda Teresia and Stefanno Sulaiman
JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world’s third-largest democracy after sweeping the nation’s election with insurance policies like free meals for college youngsters and with the outgoing chief’s son as his operating mate.
The 73-year-old former particular forces commander gained the Feb. 14 contest with practically 60% of the vote and has spent the previous 9 months constructing a formidable parliamentary coalition.
Prabowo, sporting a conventional black hat and navy go well with with a woven maroon and golden sarong, formally turn into Indonesia’s eighth president on Sunday morning after he was sworn in throughout a ceremony at Indonesia’s parliament.
Prabowo, who unsuccessfully ran for the presidency twice earlier than, is anticipated to present a speech to lawmakers on the parliament’s higher home after which head to the presidential palace.
He was joined within the swearing-in ceremony by his operating mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 37, the eldest son of outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
As they make their option to the palace they are going to be greeted by hundreds of flag waving supporters already thronging Jakarta streets which might be lined with posters of the incoming chief.
Flower boards arrange outdoors the palace both congratulated Prabowo and Gibran or thanked Jokowi for his decade as president.
Prabowo and Gibran are anticipated to cease at seven phases alongside the best way between parliament and the palace, Nusron Wahid, a Prabowo aide, instructed reporters on Friday.
Jokowi supporters are additionally attending the celebrations to bid farewell to Indonesia’s outgoing chief.
Anneta Yuniar, a bystander who had excitedly waved at Jokowi’s motorcade because it slowly made its well beyond supporters earlier than the ceremony, stated she would miss Jokowi however that Prabowo was a powerful chief.
“Prabowo will continue the development that Jokowi started. There’s continuity. It’s what I want,” she stated.
Jokowi has left an indelible mark on the nation of 280 million, presiding over a interval of sturdy financial development and big infrastructure improvement.
Critics additionally say, although, his rule has been marked by an increase in old-time patronage and dynastic politics, and so they warn about diminished integrity in courts and different state establishments.
Indonesian police and navy have put in place strict safety measures, deploying a minimum of 100,000 personnel throughout town, together with snipers and anti-riot items.
Prabowo is anticipated to satisfy with international dignitaries, together with about 20 heads of state, in a while Sunday on the presidential palace, stated Hasan Nasbi, the top of the presidential communications organisation.
China stated it’s sending Vice President Han Zheng to the inauguration. The delegation from america is being led by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Throughout his marketing campaign, Prabowo billed himself to voters and buyers alike because the “continuity candidate”.
He has set a goal to speed up financial development to eight% from a present charge of 5%, pledged to make Indonesia self-sufficient in manufacturing of staples, and signalled a extra lively position on the worldwide stage.
Previous allegations towards Prabowo of involvement within the kidnapping of scholar activists and human rights abuses in Papua and East Timor, nonetheless, have additionally raised concern about Indonesia’s trajectory of democracy, human rights advocates say.
Prabowo has at all times denied the allegations that led to his dismissal from the navy in 1998, the identical yr Indonesia broke free from the decades-long authoritarian rule of former President Suharto.
