Newly sworn-in Prabowo vows to serve ‘all Indonesians’, China’s Xi hails ‘friendly’ ties

The former defence minister succeeds rival-turned-ally Joko Widodo, whose eldest son was sworn in as Prabowo’s vice president

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto takes the oath at the parliament building in Jakarta on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 11:36am, 20 Oct 2024Updated: 8:31pm, 20 Oct 2024

Prabowo Subianto said he would be a president “for all Indonesians”, even those who did not vote for him, in his inaugural speech after he took the oath of office in Indonesia on Sunday morning as foreign heads of state congratulated the eighth leader of Southeast Asia’s largest democracy.

Among them is China’s President Xi Jinping, who sent a congratulatory message to Prabowo, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Prabowo, Indonesia’s former defence minister, succeeded his rival-turned-ally Joko Widodo, who stepped down after his constitutionally mandated two terms in office. Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was officiated as vice-president.

He also emphasised Indonesia’s commitment to self-sufficiency and uplifting its impoverished citizens, vowing to address the persistent inefficiencies of corruption that have continued to burden the country.

“We will take on the baton of leadership to make Indonesia a strong, prosperous, and independent nation. We do not wish to disturb other countries, just as we expect no other nations to disturb us,” he said, pledging the country would continue its non-aligned foreign policy.

“We want to be a good neighbour. We will stand against all colonialism and we will defend the interests of oppressed people worldwide,” he said.

Indonesia’s new President Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo sit during the presidential inauguration in Jakarta on Sunday. Photo: AFP