Joko Widodo completes rise from slum to Indonesia's presidential palace

First president from outside Indonesia's elite uses inauguration to talk up its maritime power

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo salutes the crowd following his inauguration in Jakarta yesterday. Nine heads of state attended the ceremony, while other nations including China were represented by ministers. Widodo, 53, is the country's first president who has no ties with late strongman Suharto or other political elites. Photo: AP

Published: 3:15am, 21 Oct 2014Updated: 7:38pm, 21 Oct 2014

Joko Widodo, Indonesia's first leader from outside the political and military elite, was sworn in as president yesterday and reached out to political foes to seek support for his ambitious reform agenda.

Widodo, a 53-year-old former furniture exporter known by his nickname Jokowi, won the presidency in July after a close race against controversial ex-general Prabowo Subianto.

"We will never become a great nation if we are stuck with division," Widodo said.

"This is a historic moment for us all to move together, to work and work."

The new leader also referred to Prabowo as "my best friend" during the speech, and the ex-general responded by standing up and giving a salute, the latest sign of a thaw between the pair after recent tensions.

Widodo's first test will be to reduce the huge fuel subsidies that eat up about a fifth of the nation's budget, a move which economists say is urgently needed but which risks sparking street protests.

New Indonesian president Joko Widodo at his inauguration. Photo: Reuters

Prospects for his ambitious reforms dimmed in recent weeks after Prabowo's supporters in parliament used their majority to abolish the direct election of local leaders, a move opposed by Widodo, and to win key posts in the legislature. Widodo is expected to announce his cabinet this week.