Jokowi’s inauguration: What you need to know

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Jokowi’s inauguration: What you need to know
What will happen, where, who will be there, security, etc.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (UPDATED) – On Monday, October 20, a former furniture exporter and small town mayor will become Indonesia’s 7th president.  

Following a historic grassroots campaign and a highly divisive election, it is no surprise that Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s inauguration will have tight security, a large number of heads of state in attendance, and a grand celebration by his supporters.  

Here’s what you need to know about the events on Monday. We will keep updating this as more details are released or if anything changes:

1. What exactly will happen? 

At 10am on Monday, Jokowi and Vice President-elect Jusuf Kalla will be inaugurated at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta. The official ceremony will last about an hour, after which Jokowi and Kalla will mingle with the guests. 


Follow the inauguration on Monday through Rappler’s Live Blog


By noon, the newly inaugurated president and vice president will go on a parade – aboard a carriage – from the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle along Jalan Thamrin through to the State Palace. Along the route, there will be free food and drinks donated by various businesses for the tens of thousands of people expected to attend.

At the State Palace, outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono will greet their successors with a welcoming ceremony that Jokowi’s camp wants to be open to the public. Organizers say they’re planning to make 7,000 seats available to the public, but advised people not to bring bags or jackets to expedite security checks. 

At around 5pm, Jokowi and Kalla are expected to join their supporters at the National Monument (Monas), where a concert involving Indonesia’s top bands, including Slank, will be held. As a bonus, the new president – a proud metalhead – might even jam with Slank, according to some reports. 

In the evening, 7,000 lanterns will be released into the sky. 

2. Will the inauguration be delayed? 

Nope. There has been a last-minute attempt by the opposition camp to delay the inauguration by raising old corruption allegations against Jokowi. But there has been no evidence linking Jokowi to them, and the highly respected Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has cleared him of involvement in one of the two. 

The MPR speaker himself, who comes from the opposition, has said the inauguration will proceed as scheduled. Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has also tweeted that his term will definitely end on October 20. 

3. Who will attend the inauguration?

Aside from Indonesia’s lawmakers and top politicians and government officials, a growing list of world leaders.

Media reports indicate 8 heads of state were confirmed to attend as of October 16: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Papua New Guinea Governor-General Michael Ogjio, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. In addition, US Secretary of State John Kerry, US Senator John McCain, Japanese special envoy Yasuo Fukuda and foreign ministers from other countries will also reportedly attend.

There is no word, however, if losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto will be there.

4. Will it be safe?

Yes. Despite the intense divisiveness of the recent presidential election, fears of violence have not been realized. For the inauguration on Monday, the Indonesian government will make an even greater effort to ensure everything goes smoothly, as it will demonstrate to the world that the country is capable of a peaceful transition of power. 

To  ensure this, between 22,000-24,000 police officers will be deployed. They will be unarmed but they will have with them tear gas and water cannons that can be used to disperse unruly protesters if needed.

5. Is the Central Business District accessible on Monday?

Sort of. Police originally said the main stretch of road between the State Palace and MPR – Jalan Sudirman-Thamrin-Medan Merdeka Barat-Medan Merdeka Utara – will be closed from 6am that day and reopened “after the event” is finished.  

But since October 20 is not a holiday, police are now saying they would only close off the road in the morning before the inauguration to make way for the presidential motorcade, and at noon after the ceremony for the grand parade.

 

However, with 100,000 to 150,000 people expected to join the parade and concert, it might be best to rethink bringing cars into the area that day. 

We will keep updating information as they become available. – with reports from Raphaella/Rappler.com


Jokowi’s journey to the presidency:

A historic election:

Indonesia’s outgoing president:

 

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