New Indonesian president sworn in

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (KUNA) -- The newly-elected Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, was sworn in at a parliamentary session early on Monday -- with attendance of dignitaries namely the Australian premier and the US secretary of state.
"Action action action," the new leader of the Asian nation stated in his inaugural address urging his people, namely the diverse political parties, to join hands for sake of "realizing the state aspirations and safeguarding its independent political and economic sovereignty.
Widodo won the presidential elections on July 9, garnering 53.15 percent of the votes, as compared to 46.85 percent, won by his main political foe, the ex-general Prabowo Subianto, brother in law of the former president, Suharto who was ousted in 1998.
The sworn-in president is the first civil personality to lead a nation known for a long history of military influence Indonesia political scene is forecast to be a hot one, in view of the opposition dominance of the legislative assembly, in which a coalition of parties led Subianto, occupy bulk of the seats. (end) ab.rk