Prabowo Subianto has officially been sworn in as Indonesia’s next president, taking his oath of office on Sunday morning to become the eighth leader of Southeast Asia’s largest democracy.
The 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.
Prabowo and Gibran were sworn in during a ceremony at the parliamentary building in Central Jakarta attended by Indonesia’s top officials and a number of foreign dignitaries including China’s Vice President Han Zheng, who served as President Xi Jinping’s special representative at the inauguration.
Indonesian police and military deployed at least 100,000 personnel across Jakarta in preparation for the inauguration ceremony, including snipers and anti-riot units, who will stay in place until Wednesday.
The delegation from the United States was led by US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov was also in attendance.
Although Australian prime ministers have previously attended Indonesia’s presidential inauguration ceremonies, Anthony Albanese cancelled his trip due to King Charles’s visit to Australia. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles attended the ceremony in his place.