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Indonesians celebrate as new president sworn in

Tens of thousands take to street to welcome 'Jokowi'

20.10.2014 - Update : 20.10.2014
Indonesians celebrate as new president sworn in

By Ainur Rohmah

JAKARTA

Tens of thousands of Indonesians took to the streets Monday to celebrate the inauguration of populist politician Joko Widodo as president.

Following the swearing in ceremony, Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla were paraded in a traditional gold cart along Jakarta’s main road to the Presidential Palace.

Huge crowds chanted Widodo’s Jokowi nickname and spread Indonesia’s red and white national flag along the street amid groups of performing artists, many in traditional dress including Javanese ‘batik’ and Chinese costumes.

‪As former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono welcomed his successor to the palace, hundreds of guests watched as the new incumbent took residence in his official home.

‪Yosef, a food vendor who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said: “Jokowi is a phenomenal figure. He was only plunged into politics for nine years, starting as a mayor in 2005, before making it to the Presidential Palace. Amazing.”

Teacher Amanda congratulated the new leadership, adding: “I hope Indonesia will be better and wealthier.”

In a teleconference with selected individuals from across Indonesia, Widodo spoke face-to-face with students, teachers and members of indigenous groups.

‪Since early morning, Internet users have taken to Twitter with the hashtag #JokowiPresident to celebrate the inauguration.

In Jakarta, the festivities centered around the towering National Monument, where spectators enjoyed a free meal as they watched street performances and released thousands of lanterns as a symbol of hope.

‪In Central Java province’s Semarang, dozens of pedicab drivers congregated at the city center to pray for the new government and watch the inauguration ceremony broadcast live on television.

Some communities on Java island also staged nightlong performances of ‘wayang,’ the traditional leather shadow puppets, in village and town cultural centers.

‪In Widodo’s hometown, Solo in Central Java, people paraded through the streets with huge bowls of ‘tumpeng,’ a heaped rice dish with vegetable and meat side dishes, as they set out for communal celebratory meals.

Congratulatory banners seemed to occupy every available public space across the country’s thousands of islands. As well congratulating Widodo they also expressed gratitude to his predecessor Yudhoyono and even thanking his presidential opponent Prabowo Subianto, a former general closely linked to ex-dictator Suharto, for accepting defeat.

Widodo is the first of Indonesia’s seven presidents to come from outside the political and military elite that has ruled since independence.

In his inaugural speech, Widodo appealed for all sections of Indonesian society to “work hard, together, shoulder to shoulder, because this is a historic moment.”

The ceremony at the parliament building in capital Jakarta was attended by leaders including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Widodo, a 53-year-old former furniture salesman, first took office when he became mayor of Surakarta in 2005 before becoming Jakarta governor seven years later.

He who won July’s election with 53 percent of votes, faces a series of economic dilemmas. The country’s rapid economic growth – Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy – has not been accompanied by wealth equality and the income gap between the rich and poor remains substantial.

But for now Widodo can bask in the celebrations. On Monday, evening a huge concert has been arranged, where the crowds expect Widodo, a guitar-playing heavy metal fan, to perform.

www.aa.com.tr/en 

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