Indonesia's Widodo sworn in as president
Joko Widodo, Indonesia's first leader from outside the political and military elite, was sworn in as president yesterday and reached out to political foes to seek support for his ambitious reform agenda.
After the inauguration, Widodo capped his remarkable rise from an upbringing in a riverside slum by travelling through the streets of the capital Jakarta in a horse-drawn carriage, with tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters cheering and shouting his name.
Widodo, a 53-year-old former furniture exporter known by his nickname Jokowi, won the presidency in July after a close race against controversial ex-general Prabowo Subianto.
The former Jakarta governor, who won legions of fans with his man-of-the-people image, is the country's first leader since the end of Suharto's three decades of dictatorship in 1998 to have no major links to that era.
Hopes are high for a new style of leadership in the world's third-biggest democracy, but there are also fears an opposition-dominated parliament could make it hard for Widodo to enact reforms to revive the G20 economy and help society's poorest.
After taking the oath in parliament at a ceremony attended by dignitaries including US Secretary of State John Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, he called for unity following the most bitterly fought election in Indonesian history.
"Unity and working hand in hand are prerequisites for us to be a great nation," said Widodo. "We will never become a great nation if we are stuck with division."
"This is a historic moment for us all to move together, to work and work," the president urged.
The new leader also referred to Prabowo as "my best friend" during the speech, and the ex-general responded by standing up and giving a salute, the latest sign of a thaw between the pair after recent tensions.
After travelling through the streets in the carriage, accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla and a colourful parade of dancers and musicians, he was received at the presidential palace by outgoing leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and watched a military parade.
Later in the evening, Widodo, a heavy metal fan, is expected to take to the stage with rock bands at a huge outdoor concert.
About 24,000 police and military personnel were deployed to secure the day's events but there was no sign of trouble and the atmosphere was festive.
"Long life to Jokowi, this is the first time in our history that the people are joyfully celebrating the presidential inauguration," shouted a supporter outside the palace.
But the euphoria of the inauguration is likely to be short-lived as Widodo faces up to the task of leading the world's fourth most populous country, with 250 million people spread over more than 17,000 islands, at a critical moment.
The growth rate in Southeast Asia's top economy is at a five-year low, corruption remains rampant and fears are mounting that support for the Islamic State group could spawn a new generation of radicals in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.
Kerry's attendance was in part aimed at seeking support from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations in the fight against the extremists, who have taken over vast swathes of Iraq and Syria.
During a meeting later, Kerry also planned to encourage Widodo to ensure Indonesia, a major player in regional diplomacy, paid adequate attention to foreign affairs, a State Department official said. There have been concerns that the new president will focus solely on domestic issues.
Widodo's first test will be to reduce the huge fuel subsidies that eat up about a fifth of the nation's budget, a move which economists say is urgently needed but which risks sparking street protests.
Prospects for his ambitious reforms dimmed in recent weeks after Prabowo's supporters in parliament used their majority to abolish the direct election of local leaders, a move opposed by Widodo, and to win key posts in the legislature.
Prabowo's appearance at the inauguration and an unexpected meeting with Widodo Friday during which he pledged support have raised hopes that tensions are easing. But observers say the ex-general may still oppose the new leader's policies.
Widodo is expected to announce his new cabinet later in the week.
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