Former general Prabowo Subianto was officially sworn in as President of Indonesia on Sunday, with ambitions to elevate the global standing of the world’s fourth most populous country. The 73-year-old nationalist, who has faced past accusations of human rights abuses during his military career, took the oath in parliament, succeeding outgoing President Joko Widodo.
“I swear that I will fulfil the duties of the President of the Republic of Indonesia as best as possible and as fairly as possible,” Prabowo declared during the ceremony.
The new president has committed to maintaining Indonesia’s long-standing non-aligned foreign policy but has signaled a bolder approach to international affairs. His diplomatic engagements since his election victory include visits to China, Russia, and Australia, where he signed a key security agreement.
Prabowo assumes leadership of Southeast Asia’s largest economy, inheriting a country of 280 million people and the world’s largest nickel reserves. Indonesia’s population skews young, with nearly half under the age of 30. Prabowo secured a landslide victory in the February elections, largely due to the support of his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 37-year-old son of outgoing president Widodo, and his ambitious campaign promises, such as a $28 billion free meal plan for schoolchildren.
Dressed in traditional attire, Prabowo delivered a passionate speech to lawmakers who responded with applause and chants of his name. “We will lead the Indonesian government… by prioritizing the interests of all Indonesians, including those who did not vote for us,” he said. He emphasized his commitment to a “peaceful democracy,” adherence to a “good neighbor” policy, and vowed to tackle the nation’s pervasive corruption.
After the inauguration, Prabowo traveled through Jakarta, greeting supporters from the roof of his car, before arriving at the presidential palace for a ceremonial handover from his predecessor, Joko Widodo—commonly known as Jokowi. The two were once rivals, with Prabowo losing to Jokowi in both the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections.
The inauguration was attended by several foreign diplomats, including British Foreign Minister David Lammy and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory message, expressing his intent to maintain “close strategic communication” with the new Indonesian leader.
Security in Jakarta was significantly tightened for the event, with around 100,000 police and military personnel deployed. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of the capital to witness Prabowo become Indonesia’s eighth president since gaining independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945.
While Prabowo’s rise to the presidency has been celebrated by many, his controversial past continues to draw scrutiny. Non-governmental organizations and former military leaders have accused him of ordering the abduction of pro-democracy activists during the final years of dictator Suharto’s rule in the late 1990s. The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) reported that 23 activists were kidnapped between 1997 and 1998, with 13 still missing. Prabowo, who was discharged from the military over the incident, has consistently denied the allegations.
The former general’s human rights record has also affected his international reputation. The United States once denied him a visa, citing his past, and he was reportedly blacklisted by Australia for a time. Allegations also link him to military crimes committed in East Timor during Indonesia’s occupation.
Parker Novak, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, raised concerns about what Prabowo’s presidency may mean for democracy and human rights in Indonesia. “Concerns remain about what Prabowo’s rise may mean for democracy and human rights,” he said.
Despite his checkered past, Prabowo’s reputation has been rehabilitated in recent years, particularly among younger voters. His campaign successfully portrayed him as a relatable, grandfatherly figure, with viral videos of him dancing and sharing images of his cats with his six million Instagram followers.
As he begins his presidency, Prabowo faces significant economic and diplomatic challenges. While his predecessor set ambitious targets, including eight percent economic growth, experts note that Prabowo will need to carefully manage Indonesia’s complex relationships with both China and Western allies like the United States and Australia.
“He will have to navigate the inevitable tension between his country’s extensive economic relationship with China and its growing security relationships with the United States and Australia,” Novak remarked.
