Newly-inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, center, after being sworn in as the country's eighth president in at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. - AP
JAKARTA, Indonesia: Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated Sunday as the eighth president of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, completing his journey from an ex-general accused of rights abuses during the dark days of Indonesia’s military dictatorship to the presidential palace.
The former defense minister, who turned 73 on Thursday, was cheered through the streets by thousands of waving supporters after taking his oath on the Quran, the Muslim holy book, in front of lawmakers and foreign dignitaries.
Banners and billboards to welcome the new president filled the streets of the capital, Jakarta, where tens of thousands gathered for festivities including speeches and musical performances along the city’s major throughfare.
Indonesia's newly sworn-in President Prabowo Subianto (centre) waves to his supporters as he heads to the Presidential Palace during the inauguration ceremony in Jakarta.- AFP
Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto (right) takes the oath during the presidential inauguration at the Parliament building in Jakarta. - AFP
Indonesia's new Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka takes the oath during the presidential inauguration at the Parliament building in Jakarta. - AFP
Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto (left) and his predecessor Joko Widododuring the presidential inauguration at the Parliament building in Jakarta. - AFP
Posters and banners across Jakarta featured messages supporting Mr Prabowo and former President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi. They read: “Thank you, Jokowi. All the best, Prabowo Gibran.” . - PHOTO: AFP
A crowd of well-wishers gather at the Selamat Datang monument near the Presidential Palace as they wait for the inauguration of Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. - AFP
Supporters gather outside the Presidential Palace as they wait for the inauguration of Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. - AFP
A crowd of well-wishers play drum and dance as they gather outside the Presidential Palace in Jakarta as they wait for the inauguration of Indonesia's president-elect Prabowo Subianto. - AFP
