Indonesia's Jokowi ready to hand over presidency to Prabowo

Prabowo Subianto, current defense minister, was elected president in February, set to be inaugurated in October

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, indicated on Friday his readiness to hand over power to his successor, Prabowo Subianto.

“If God is willing, you (Prabowo) will be the one delivering the state of the nation address next year. On Oct. 20, allow me to pass the leadership baton to you,” Jokowi declared in his final State of the Nation address, delivered to lawmakers at the parliament in Jakarta.

Prabowo, the current defense minister, was elected president in the February elections and is set to take the oath of office in October. He has also secured a parliamentary majority after the main opposition NasDem party extended its support to his future administration.

During his address to Parliament, Jokowi proposed an annual budget of $230.3 billion.

Prabowo, a former army general, has pledged to continue Jokowi’s policies, including the ambitious $33 billion capital relocation plan. During a recent visit to the new capital Nusantara in East Kalimantan province, Prabowo vowed to expedite the city’s development, according to the Jakarta Globe.

Jokowi plans to commemorate Indonesia’s Independence Day on Aug. 17 in Nusantara, with the official inauguration of the new capital.

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