Prabowo salutes ‘best friend’ Jokowi at inauguration

JAKARTA — President Joko Widodo thanked losing presidential candidate Mr Prabowo Subianto and called him his “best friend” at his inauguration address today (Oct 20), to which the ex-military general responded with a military-style salute.

Prabowo dispelled rumours that he would not make an appearance at the inauguration today when he, along with running mate Mr Hatta Rajasa, attended the swearing in ceremony of Mr Widodo and vice president Jusuf Kalla.

Mr Prabowo’s attendance was in doubt last week as the ex-military general said he had business outside the country at the weekend. Some analysts believed a Prabowo no-show would be a sign of the fractious political environment which threatens to disrupt Mr Widodo’s presidency.

Mr Prabowo and his six party-strong Red-White coalition control 353 of the 560 seats in the House of Representatives (DPR), against 207 seats held by the parties supporting President-elect Joko Widodo. It also controls the key speakers’ position in the DPR and the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Mr Widodo visited Mr Prabowo at his home in South Jakarta last week, three days before his inauguration as Indonesia’s seventh president.

Today, a banner thanking Prabowo appeared under a sky-walk for the Dukuh Atas 1 TransJakarta station on Jakarta’s main thoroughfare Jl. Sudirman. It read: “Thank You Prabowo, Finally You Are Legowo [accepting something unpleasant in a sincere manner].” THE JAKARTA GLOBE