Jokowi sworn in as Indonesian president

Indonesia's new President Joko Widodo shouts "Merdeka" or Freedom at the end of his speech, during his inauguration at the House of Representative building in Jakarta, October 20, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Jakarta governor wins Indonesian presidency

JAKARTA - Jakarta governor Joko Widodo, locally known as Jokowi, was sworn in as the seventh Indonesian president at the parliament building on Monday, replacing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Jokowi pairing with Jusuf Kalla won the direct presidential election three month ago, defeating rival former general Prabowo Subianto with running mate Hatta Rajasa.

leaders from around the world attended the inauguration ceremony, including US State Secretary John Kerry, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Timor Leste President Taur Matan Ruak, and Papua New Guinew Prime Minister Peter Oneil.

Scores of ministers, and special delegation also presented at the ceremony.

On his speech, President Jokowi stressed his commitment to work hard to advance the nation, and called all parties and elements of the country to be united and jointly work hard for the progress of the nation.

"I and (vice-president Jusuf) Kalla have just took our oath, which has a deep spiritual meaning, to work hard to achieve a common goal as a big nation," he said.

"Now, it is the time for us to join hand to undertake the next test of history, which is very difficult, to establish a country with sovereignty integrity, self-reliance economy and unique culture," Jokowi added.

The new president stressed to boost public services for the whole people.

"The government that I lead will ensure that each person in every area in the country will feel the presence of the government services," he revealed.

On foreign policy, President Jokowi ensured that he would continue performing the country's independent and active foreign policy.

"I will stress that under my administration, Indonesia as the world's third largest country with the largest Muslim population, and as an archipelago and the biggest country in Southeast Asia region, will persistently undertake the independent and active foreign policy for the national interest, to jointly take part in maintaining world peace based on the peace and social justice," he said.

Nearly 25,000 police and soldiers, including around 4,400 soldiers and about 20,400 policemen are dispatched to secure the inauguration.

Jokowi has promised to boost economic growth to above 7 percent within 3 years from this year's GDP target of 5.2 to 5.3 percent, partly by rising oil prices that he would have more funds to build roads, railways, bridges, sea ports, air ports, as well as other infrastructure facilities in Indonesia, a net oil-importer country and providing huge energy subsidy.

The plan was hailed by investors, but recently, it was fade as their confidence slid after the rival coalition known as Koalisi Merah Putih (KMP) led by former rival Prabowo's party, dominate the parliament.

They were concern that it would hamper the new president in performing his reform program.

After weeks of gridlock, Jokowi last week sought to improve ties when he met with Prabowo and Chairman of the second biggest Golkar Party Aburizal Bakrie, who congratulated him and pledged to support his government, though reserving the right to criticize when necessary. The move is expected to ease the political tension in the country.

Prabowo also presented at the inauguration of Jokowi, which is appreciated by the attendees.

Furthermore, Jokowi faces numerous challenges, such as economic slowdown, dirty bureaucracy, and political gridlock as Prabowo's coalition dominated parliament last month controversially blocked the direct election of governors, mayors and district chiefs.