At the ready: Indonesian Army personnel attending a security preparation briefing before the inauguration of Prabowo and Gibran at the National Monument in Jakarta. — Reuters
Police and military started deploying at least 100,000 personnel across the capital Jakarta, officials said, as the country prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto this weekend.
Former general Prabowo will be sworn in as Indonesia’s president tomorrow with Vice-President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the son of outgoing president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, also taking office.
The roughly 100,000 personnel in Jakarta will include snipers and anti-riot units and will stay in place until next Wednesday, said military chief Agus Subianto yesterday.
During previous important events in Jakarta, security personnel have been placed in key areas such as the parliamentary building where the inauguration takes place, the presidential palace and Jakarta’s main roads.
Yesterday, at least two thousand military personnel were taking part in security drills at Jakarta’s National Monument complex, with dozens of military light tactical vehicles on the ground.
Parliament building security members coordinating near photos of Prabowo and Gibran. — AFP
“We need to be alert about possible threats before, during and after the inauguration,” said Agus.
The security forces are expected to escort 36 state leaders who will attend the inauguration, Agus said, without giving further details.
The Indonesian Air Force will also deploy four F-16 jets to guard aircraft carrying foreign dignitaries attending the inauguration, state news agency Antara reported.
Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Jakarta’s streets to welcome Prabowo as the new president and give a farewell to Jokowi, said police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s largest political party said it would support Prabowo, but it was unclear on Thursday whether it would formally join his already dominant coalition just days ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
If Prabowo can reach a deal with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) there would be no opposition parties in parliament, an unprecedented situation since Indonesia began holding direct presidential elections in 2004.
Finishing touches: A man pushing a trolley full of empty water containers past military vehicles on standby at the parliament building in Jakarta ahead of the inauguration.
“We’re solid in supporting the incoming government as a way to build Indonesia’s future,” Puan Maharani, house speaker and a senior PDIP official, said on Wednesday, according to state media.
It was unclear whether or not she meant the PDIP was joining the coalition.
There has been persistent talk about a meeting between PDIP chief Megawati Sukarnoputri and Prabowo in recent weeks, and Puan said one would “hopefully” take place but did not give a specific time.
A top Prabowo aide said earlier this week the two would meet without giving details on timing.
Prabowo briefed his would-be ministers on Wednesday on economic and geopolitical issues, as Cabinet assessments continued.
He has summoned dozens of people this week who said they had been asked to join the next government, including current finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. His Cabinet has not been officially unveiled.
Budi Gunawan, a former chief of Indonesia’s Intelligence Agency who is considered close to the PDIP, attended Prabowo’s briefing for his potential ministers, Budi Arie Setiadi, another ministerial candidate who attended the meeting, told Reuters.
While not formally a part of the PDIP, Budi Gunawan is known to be close to party chief Megawati and often attends party events.
The absence of any opposition in the parliament would ensure smooth passage of Prabowo’s legislative agenda, but would likely heighten fears about a lack of meaningful checks on Prabowo’s power in a country with a history of authoritarian rule.
Seven of the eight parties in parliament have already joined Prabowo’s coalition, securing him a parliamentary majority.
PDIP, which won the most seats in the February election, had nominated Jokowi for president in 2014.
But their relationship soured over Jokowi’s tacit support for Prabowo during his election campaign. — Reuters
