JAKARTA – Thousands of Indonesians took to the streets on Oct 20 to welcome President Prabowo Subianto and Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, celebrating the leadership handover with a carnival-like atmosphere that rippled across the vast archipelago.
Festivities were most felt in Jakarta where the "pesta rakyat", or people's party, saw citizens from the city as well as nearby areas in neighbouring West Java and Banten provinces flocking to makeshift stages in more than 10 locations across the capital.
Revellers enjoyed music performances, games and quizzes, with prizes including electric bicycles. Snacking on popular bakso (beef balls) and fried foods from as low as 5,000 rupiah (40 Singapore cents), they shopped at bazaars and stalls manned by local small businesses.
Many made their way across the city by public transport to avoid roadblocks and traffic diversions, as fares were slashed to one rupiah for the day.
Celebrants happily soaking in the party atmosphere told The Straits Times that they were hopeful about the new administration, which is expected to carry out key programmes such as free meals and health screenings.
Mr Prabowo left his house just before 9am in a white Toyota Alphard to head to the parliamentary compound for the inauguration as dozens of journalists took pictures and video clips, while supporters called out to him: "Bapak, Bapak!"
Denne historien er fra October 21, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 21, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
M2M to reunite for Singapore concert
It has been 22 years since they went away, but Norwegian pop duo M2M are back and coming to Singapore.
Industry sources say the author also wrote BTS memoir
Hybe's document on K-pop industry trends
Paddington Bear's 'high jinks' are back in third movie
LONDON - Paddington is back and he has lost none of his \"charm\" and \"high jinks\", according to English actor Hugh Bonneville, who again guides the trouble-prone bear through the third film in the hit series that saw its premiere on Nov 3.
Quincy Jones left indelible imprints on jazz, pop and hip-hop
LOS ANGELES - Quincy Jones, a major influence on American music in his work with artists ranging from Count Basie to Frank Sinatra and who then reshaped pop music by collaborating with Michael Jackson, died on Nov 3 at the age of 91.
Young Chinese pianist brings wealth of emotion
There are so many young Chinese pianists plying their art these days that it is easy to reduce them to Lang Lang, Yuja Wang, Li Yundi and the rest.
White faces, open mouths
Avant-garde Japanese dance butoh finds foothold in Singapore
Seeking sleep at Hoshinoya Tokyo
TOKYO In December 2023, I check into Hoshinoya Tokyo for a sleep retreat.
Explore the bustling Ginza and Marunouchi districts in Tokyo
Ginza, located near Tokyo Station, is one of the city's busiest high-end shopping districts.
Pastoral and scenic views at JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa
JEJU - The island bursts with juicy tangerines, and is where women well into their 80s free dive for seafood against a backdrop of dormant volcanoes and tea estates.
Connecting with the city's past at The Murray Hong Kong
Although brand-new hotels pop up all the time, restored heritage buildings-turned-hotels have an allure of their own.
