Indonesia's Prabowo takes office, targets food and energy self-sufficiency
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The news: Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as Indonesia's eighth president, marking his rise from an ex-general accused of rights abuses during Indonesia’s military dictatorship to now head the world's third-largest democracy.
In an hour-long speech in parliament, the former defence minister vowed to tackle corruption, boost economic growth to 8% and achieve food and energy self-sufficiency within five years, according to media reports.
The context: The 73-year-old, once self-exiled after being accused of human rights abuses as a general under Suharto, now leads 280 million Indonesians after securing a decisive election win.
His vice president, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, son of outgoing leader Joko Widodo, joined him in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from China, the US and Brunei.
During his speech, Prabowo also touched on foreign policy, saying Indonesia was non-aligned on the global stage, while expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and indicating that Jakarta is prepared to provide additional aid to Gaza.
What they said: “We have to become a nation that is brave and not afraid of challenges, obstacles, threats,” Prabowo said.
"We must always realise that a free nation is where the people are free," Prabowo said. "They must be freed of fear, poverty, hunger, ignorance, oppression, suffering."
