Jakarta, October 20, 2024 – The Europe Today: Dignitaries from 33 friendly nations gathered on Sunday to witness the inauguration of Indonesia’s eighth President, Prabowo Subianto, and 13th Vice President, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. This ceremony marks the official transition from President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, Prabowo, aged 73, and Gibran, aged 37, took their oaths for the leadership term spanning 2024-2029. The event was held at the Nusantara Building within the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta.
People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani highlighted the significance of the event, noting the presence of dignitaries from ASEAN countries, dialogue partners, and other allied nations as a demonstration of “great respect” for Indonesia. Speaking to journalists on October 19, Muzani expressed gratitude for the turnout.
Among the prominent attendees were Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Tabimasmas, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Laos Vice President Pany Yathotou, and Vietnam Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. Also in attendance were Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, China’s Vice President Han Zheng, and former German President Christian Wulff.
Muzani stated, “The number of countries sending representatives to the inauguration is so large that we feel honored as a nation,” encouraging all Indonesians to be gracious hosts to the visiting dignitaries.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, several former vice presidents including Jusuf Kalla, and approximately 1,100 guests. According to Presidential Secretariat Chief Heru Budi Hartono, the event attracted participation from 20 state guests, a United Nations envoy, and 13 special envoys representing heads of state.
Later that evening, Muzani, in his capacity as secretary-general of the Prabowo-led Gerindra Party, announced that President Prabowo Subianto would unveil the composition of his ministerial cabinet. Indonesians had expressed their mandate, with at least 1.7 million voters living abroad participating in the General Elections ahead of February 14, 2024. More than 203 million voters residing in Indonesia turned out at polling stations on Election Day.
The General Elections Commission declared the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka pair victorious in the presidential race, securing 96,214,691 out of 164,227,475 valid national votes, defeating candidates Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md.
