Indonesians revel in street festivities for Prabowo's inauguration

Thousands throng streets with party-like atmosphere as new president is sworn in

- Linda Yulisman and Aqil Hamzah

JAKARTA – Thousands of Indonesians took to the streets on Oct 20 to welcome President Prabowo Subianto and Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, celebrating the leadership handover with a carnival-like atmosphere that rippled across the vast archipelago.

Festivities were most felt in Jakarta where the "pesta rakyat", or people's party, saw citizens from the city as well as nearby areas in neighbouring West Java and Banten provinces flocking to makeshift stages in more than 10 locations across the capital.

Revellers enjoyed music performances, games and quizzes, with prizes including electric bicycles. Snacking on popular bakso (beef balls) and fried foods from as low as 5,000 rupiah (40 Singapore cents), they shopped at bazaars and stalls manned by local small businesses.

Many made their way across the city by public transport to avoid roadblocks and traffic diversions, as fares were slashed to one rupiah for the day.

Celebrants happily soaking in the party atmosphere told The Straits Times that they were hopeful about the new administration, which is expected to carry out key programmes such as free meals and health screenings.

Mr Prabowo left his house just before 9am in a white Toyota Alphard to head to the parliamentary compound for the inauguration as dozens of journalists took pictures and video clips, while supporters called out to him: "Bapak, Bapak!"