Prabowo Subianto: From Ex-General to Indonesia's New President

Prabowo Subianto, former general and defense minister, has been inaugurated as the president of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. Once accused of human rights abuses, he has promised continuity with previous president Widodo's policies and faces significant challenges governing this diverse and economically developing nation.

In a historic ceremony, Prabowo Subianto has been inaugurated as Indonesia's eighth president, marking a significant political shift in this populous Southeast Asian nation. The former general, once embroiled in controversy over human rights abuses, now assumes leadership, vowing to continue the policies of former President Joko Widodo.

Amid celebrations in Jakarta, Subianto's ascension to presidency was endorsed by the outgoing leader Widodo, despite previously running as rivals. Subianto, with his Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo's son, pledged to maintain economic growth policies and move forward with the construction of a new capital city.

However, Subianto's leadership begins with uncertainties, as he balances promises of policy continuity and the complexities of international relations in a region influenced by US-China dynamics. As Indonesia stands as a beacon of democracy in Southeast Asia, the world watches how Subianto, once distanced from the political elite, will navigate its future.

(With inputs from agencies.)