By Ananda Teresia and Stefanno Sulaiman
JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto on Sunday will take over as president of the world’s third-largest democracy after sweeping the nation’s election with insurance policies like free meals for varsity kids and with the outgoing chief’s son as his working mate.
The 73-year-old former particular forces commander received the Feb. 14 contest with practically 60% of the vote and has spent the previous 9 months constructing a formidable parliamentary coalition.
Prabowo will formally change into Indonesia’s eighth president on Sunday morning after he’s sworn in throughout a ceremony at Indonesia’s parliament, flanked by outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Prabowo, who unsuccessfully ran for the presidency twice earlier than, is anticipated to present a speech to lawmakers on the parliament’s higher home after the swearing-in and earlier than heading to the presidential palace.
He might be joined by his working mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 37, the eldest son of Jokowi.
As they make their method to the palace they are going to be greeted by hundreds of supporters anticipated to throng Jakarta streets which can be lined with posters of the incoming chief.
Prabowo and Gibran are anticipated to cease at seven levels which were arrange alongside the best way between parliament and the palace, Nusron Wahid, a Prabowo aide, informed reporters on Friday.
Jokowi supporters are additionally anticipated to attend the celebrations and bid farewell to Indonesia’s outgoing chief.
After two phrases and a decade in energy, Jokowi has left an indelible mark on the nation of 280 million, presiding over a interval of sturdy financial development and large infrastructure improvement.
Critics additionally say, although, his rule has been marked by an increase in old-time patronage and dynastic politics, and so they warn about diminished integrity in courts and different state establishments.
Indonesian police and army have put in place strict safety measures, deploying at the least 100,000 personnel throughout the town, together with snipers and anti-riot items.
Prabowo is anticipated to fulfill with overseas dignitaries, together with about 20 heads of state, afterward Sunday on the presidential palace, mentioned Hasan Nasbi, the pinnacle of the presidential communications organisation.
China mentioned it’s sending Vice President Han Zheng to the inauguration. The delegation from the US is being led by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Throughout his marketing campaign, Prabowo billed himself to voters and traders alike because the “continuity candidate”.
He has set a goal to speed up financial development to eight% from a present charge of 5%, pledged to make Indonesia self-sufficient in manufacturing of staples, and signalled a extra lively function on the worldwide stage.
Previous allegations in opposition to Prabowo of involvement within the kidnapping of scholar activists and human rights abuses in Papua and East Timor, nonetheless, have additionally raised concern about Indonesia’s trajectory of democracy, human rights advocates say.
Prabowo has at all times denied the allegations that led to his dismissal from the army in 1998, the identical yr Indonesia broke free from the decades-long authoritarian rule of former President Suharto.
