As President Jokowi is committed to finishing his work in the final week of his leadership, Prabowo is completing his preparations to assume office and the responsibility to helm this country. The leadership transition is at its most robust time.
The president-elect has summoned at least 49 national and political figures, academic, and incumbent ministers, who are assumed to be part of the incoming cabinet, to his residence in South Jakarta.
The visit, extensively covered by national media, gave a significant hint to the people about the composition of Prabowo’s ministry, which he aspired to be a “cabinet of experts.”
Meanwhile, the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), as the ceremony's host, is finalizing its preparations for inauguration week. According to MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani, preparations for the ceremony were 90 percent complete as of October 14.
MPR leaders will preside over the inauguration, which includes reading the General Elections Commission (KPU) Decision on the presidential election result, the oath-taking ceremony, and the new president’s inaugural address to the nation.
“We will organize early rehearsal and dress rehearsal on October 18-19,” Muzani confirmed.
Article 9 of Indonesia’s Constitution stipulates that the president- and vice president-elect should read their oath of office in front of MPR members before taking office.
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Who will come
President Joko Widodo confirmed his attendance at the presidential ceremony following an audience with the MPR leadership on Monday.
“It is tradition that the president attends the inauguration of his successor,” State Secretary Minister Pratikno stated.
He highlighted that the practice arose from convention as no statute requiring the president's presence at the inauguration of their successor.
Former presidents Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have also been invited.
Meanwhile, the MPR has called on former candidates of the 2024 presidential election, Anies Baswedan and Muhaimin Iskandar, as well as Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD, to attend the presidential ceremony.
It is a gesture of reconciliation to the former electoral rivals of Prabowo, as national interest should now be prioritized at this key moment of the nation’s new leadership.
The MPR also invited foreign leaders and representatives, including leaders of ASEAN countries and ASEAN partners, for the presidential inauguration.
At least 21 foreign leaders or their representatives will attend the ceremony, as confirmed by MPR Deputy Speaker Abcandra Muhammad Akbar Supratman.
US President Joe Biden has named the presidential delegation to represent him in the inauguration ceremony. According to the US Embassy in Jakarta, Biden has appointed the US envoy for the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to lead the delegation.
Moreover, MPR Acting Secretary General Siti Fauziah organized a briefing and site visit for ambassadors and envoys invited to the inauguration ceremony. She remarked that the ambassadors were briefed to ensure their understanding of the ceremony and placement during the day.
Fauziah informed them of the ceremony-related technical aspects, including VVIP security details and protocols for heads of state and ambassadors, as well as the parliament building’s facilities and seating layout.
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Security
President Jokowi, on Monday, presided over the security routine attended by police officers of Operation Mantap Brata 2024 for securing the presidential inauguration at the Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Headquarters in Depok, West Java.
As customary during the ongoing presidential transition, which has been dubbed “most smooth” by national figures, Jokowi was accompanied by his successor during the agenda.
The Indonesian Police confirmed that 15 thousand personnel and special equipment from various units will be deployed for the presidential inauguration next Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) confirmed the deployment of its personnel for the inauguration ceremony despite Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak not disclosing further details.
Simanjuntak also echoed his side's readiness to deploy more troops to maintain security and mitigate the increase in the number of people thronging public areas to celebrate the new president.
TNI Information Centre Chief, Major General Hariyanto, stated that each TNI unit deployed will be assigned a particular task.
“Such as monitoring, patrol, and VIP/VVIP escort to ensure security during the inauguration ceremony,” Hariyanto noted.
He remarked that the military and police would also collaborate in the security mission, adding that his side had finalized security arrangements and traffic adjustments required for the day.
Such meticulous preparation reflects the significance of the next presidential inauguration ceremony in this country’s history books as it will usher in the presidency of Prabowo Subianto and the vice-presidency of Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
As they read their oath of office on October 20, they will affirm and swear loyalty to the nation and the Constitution and commit themselves to working for the country and the people for the next five years.
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Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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