Previously, after the State-level welcoming ceremony for Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan was solemnly held on October 19 at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia with a 19-gun salute and an honor guard review, on October 20, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attended the inauguration ceremony of the President of Indonesia held at the Indonesian Parliament Building with the participation of leaders and representatives of nearly 30 countries.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Prabowo Subianto called on Indonesians to strengthen national unity, put national interests above party and personal interests; face the truth to resolve internal and external challenges; seize opportunities, and continue to lead Indonesia firmly on the path of strong development and prosperity.
President Prabowo outlined a number of policy priorities for the Government in the next five-year term (2024-2029), including ensuring food security, fighting corruption, ensuring nutritious meals for students, effectively managing natural resources, supporting vulnerable groups, especially low-income farmers and fishermen, etc.
Regarding foreign affairs, the Indonesian President affirmed to adhere to the traditional foreign policy principles of "freedom and initiative", "good neighborliness", and anti-colonialism and racism.
President Prabowo Subianto also pledged to inherit many policies of the previous administration of President Joko Widodo, including promoting the development of the mining industry and banning the export of raw minerals.
Regarding the working visit of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang shared that in recent times, the Vietnam - Indonesia relationship has developed comprehensively and has high political trust. Exchanges of high-level delegations and all levels have taken place regularly, and bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been maintained effectively. As of August 2024, bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Indonesia reached nearly 11 billion USD, an increase of about 25% over the same period in 2023. Cooperation between the two countries in areas such as economy, trade, investment, national defense and security, transportation, including aviation, as well as people-to-people exchanges have become increasingly more substantive and effective.
AP reported that late on October 20, President Prabowo Subianto announced a 109-member cabinet - Indonesia's largest cabinet ever, representing his commitment to a strong government. The eighth president of Southeast Asia's largest economy called his cabinet the "Red and White Cabinet" - a reference to the colors of the Indonesian flag. The cabinet of his predecessor, Joko Widodo, had 34 ministers and heads of government agencies.
President Prabowo Subianto's cabinet includes politicians from the seven-party alliance that supported his victory in February's election and reappointed cabinet members of Mr Widodo.
AP said President Subianto reappointed nearly half of his predecessor Widodo's cabinet, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, making her the first person to hold the position under three different presidents.
Indrawati, 62, is one of Indonesia's longest-serving finance ministers, having held the post for a long time under Presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo. She has a high international profile, particularly for her reforms of Indonesia's tax system and her role in guiding Indonesia through the global financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic.
