On Sunday, former Indonesian army general Prabowo Subianto was officially sworn in as the eighth president of Indonesia. This ceremony marked a significant milestone in his 26-year journey from being dismissed from the military due to alleged human rights abuses to becoming the leader of the world’s fourth most populous nation.
Prabowo, who is 73 years old, took the oath of office at the parliament building in Jakarta, accompanied by his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 37-year-old son of outgoing President Joko Widodo. The inauguration was attended by thousands of supporters and international dignitaries, including representatives from over 40 nations such as Brunei’s King Hassanal Bolkiah, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and delegates from the US and China.
In his address to the nation, Prabowo urged Indonesians to be courageous and unafraid of challenges. He emphasized the need to transform the impossible into the possible and pledged to prioritize the interests of the nation and state above all else. He also committed to maintaining key policies initiated by his predecessor, Joko Widodo, including the development of a new capital city and restrictions on raw material exports to enhance local industries.
Prabowo’s administration aims to accelerate economic growth to 8% from the current 5% rate and make Indonesia self-sufficient in staple production. He has also promised to address issues such as a shrinking manufacturing sector, job decline, and a burgeoning informal economy. To fund his new programs, including a $29 billion school lunch initiative, Prabowo plans to raise revenue and reduce unnecessary spending.
Despite his ambitious economic targets, Prabowo’s presidency is also marked by concerns over his past allegations of human rights abuses and the potential for democratic regression. However, he has consistently denied these allegations and reassured Indonesians that his military background will not influence his governance.
