TOKYO -- New Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as the eighth president of Southeast Asia's largest economy on Oct. 20. What was originally scheduled as a 15-minute inaugural address unfolded into a fiery 45-minute speech, punctuated by raised fists and concluding with the rallying cry of the nation's independence and foundation: "Merdeka (freedom)! "
In his speech, Prabowo vowed that Indonesia would "seek a democratic life," but his track record has raised concerns about a potential return to authoritarianism. These worries were reinforced when he quickly added: "But let us recognize that our democracy must be a democracy that is distinctively Indonesian."
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