Indonesia swears in ex-general Prabowo Subianto as president

Subianto was a long-time rival of the immensely popular President Joko Widodowho ran against him twice for president and refused to accept his defeat twice, in 2014 and 2019.

But Widodo named Subianto defense chief after his re-election, paving the way for an alliance despite their rival political parties. During the campaign, Subianto presented himself as the popular heir of the outgoing president, pledging to continue his signature policies such as building a new multi-billion dollar capital and limits on the export of raw materials intended to stimulate domestic industry.

Supported by Widodo, Subianto scores crushing victory in February, the direct presidential election was based on promises of political continuity.

Subianto was sworn in with his new vice president, the 37-year-old former mayor of Surakarta. Gibran Rakabuming Raka. He chose Raka, who is Widodos' son, as his running mate, with Widodo favoring Subianto over his own former party's candidate. Former rivals have become tacit allies, even though Indonesian presidents generally do not support candidates.

After decades of dictatorship under President Suharto, Indonesia was rocked by political, ethnic and religious unrest in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, it has consolidated its democratic transition as a third largest democracy in the world and home to a rapidly expanding middle class.

Subianto, from one of the country's richest families, stands in stark contrast to Widodo, the first Indonesian president to leave the country. outside the political and military elites.

A former general with a checkered past

Subianto was a special forces commander until he was forced out by the military in 1998, accused of playing a role in the kidnappings and torture of militants and other abuses. He was never tried and went into voluntary exile in Jordan in 1998, although several of his subordinates were tried and convicted.

Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein was scheduled to attend Sunday's ceremony but canceled at the last minute due to the escalation. Tensions in the Middle Eastdeciding instead to send Foreign Minister Nancy Namrouqa as his special envoy. Subianto and Abdullah met in person in June for talks in Amman on humanitarian aid to those affected by the war in Gaza.

Subianto, who has never held elected office, will lead a huge and diverse archipelago whose economy has boomed amid strong global demand for its natural resources. But it will have to deal with global economic distress and regional tensions in Asia, where territorial conflicts and US-China rivalry occupy an important place.

Leaders and senior officials from more than 30 countries attended the ceremony, including Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and leaders of Southeast Asian countries. US President Joe Biden sent Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations. Admiral Samuel Paparo, U.S. commander of Indo-Pacific Command, was also part of the U.S. delegation.

He also promised to advance Widodos' most ambitious and controversial project: building a new capital in Borneo, about 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) from congested Jakarta.

An enthusiastic speaker, Subianto denounced widespread corruption in his inauguration speech, saying many people are unable to find jobs, children are malnourished and their schools are not well maintained.