Jakarta [Indonesia], October 20: Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated Sunday as the eighth president of the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children at US$28 billion.
The former defense minister, who turned 73 on Thursday, won with nearly 60 percent of the February vote, securing victory. Thousands of supporters lined Jakarta streets to greet the new president who promised economic growth and self-sufficiency in staple production.
In his emotional speech at the People's Consultative Assembly, the retired army general emphasised that national unity and food security would be top priorities for his administration. He also promised that all of Indonesia's natural resources would be managed for the greater good of the people.
For the next five years, under his leadership, Prabowo outlined his vision for Indonesia to achieve food self-sufficiency and become a global food supplier.
"We are blessed with vast land and maritime territories, as well as abundant natural resources that are invaluable in the 21st century and beyond," Prabowo said.
Leaders and officials from over 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, South Korea, China, Australia, and several Southeast Asian nations, attended the oath-taking ceremony.
Source: Emirates News Agency