Ex-General Prabowo Sworn In as Indonesia’s Next President

New president promised free school meals, 8% GDP growth
Prabowo won after deal to include Jokowi’s son on ticket

Prabowo Subianto is sworn in as Indonesia’s eighth president in Jakarta on Oct. 20.Photographer: Rivan Awal Lingga/Antara Foto/Public Reletions of The People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic Indonesia

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Chandra Asmara and Faris Mokhtar

October 19, 2024 at 11:00 PM UTC

Updated on

October 20, 2024 at 5:11 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Former general Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as Indonesia’s eighth president on Sunday, capping a 26-year rise that followed his dismissal from the military over alleged human rights abuses tied to protests that ousted his late former father-in-law and dictator, Suharto.

Prabowo took the oath of office together with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the son of outgoing leader Joko Widodo The ceremony marks a remarkable comeback for a man who once faced Western-imposed sanctions and had two failed election bids against Widodo, the man he is replacing.