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Indonesia witnessed a peaceful transfer of power on Monday that crowned former governor of the capital city Joko Widodo as the seventh president for the next five years, with an unusual procession prepared for Widodo to enter presidential palace.
After being sworn in by People Consultative Assembly (MPR) at the parliament building, Joko Widodo, popularly called by his nickname Jokowi, directly went to the palace.
But on the way to get there, he pulled over his presidential motorcade at a landmark roundabout near the palace, where he hopped in a cart pulled by horses and continued his trip to the palace with the wagon.
Together with Vice President Jusuf Kalla who joined Widodo in the cart, they received greetings from the crowed which have been waiting for them in a hot-scorching day on street heading to the palace.
Such a procession has never been conducted by any president ruling the country before.
An event dubbed people's party to celebrate the inauguration of Widodo, was prepared at Jakarta's square of Monas by volunteers.
The event presents traditional and modern music performers, attended by hundreds of people from across the country. Widodo is scheduled to deliver his speech in the event.
At the end of the event, 17,400 lanterns would be released into the sky, resembling the nation's hope for further achievements in the future. The number of lantern represents the number of island covered in the nation's territory.
Those among the hundreds of thousands who had been waiting for Widodo were the family of an elder woman Risa, including children.
"We came here by train at noon because we had to wait for our children from schools. They were eager to see Jokowi and experience the fanfare at Monas," Risa, a 57-year-old housewife, told Xinhua at the square.
"We hope that Jokowi will keep his 'blusukan' customary, visiting people living in difficulties," Risa said, referring to Widodo's habit to pay impromptu visits to grassroot residents in dilapidated neighborhoods.
Another resident who awaited the president's presence conveyed his confidence on Widodo who originally comes from a city 100 km away from his hometown in Demak, Central Java province.
However, Muammar, a construction worker at a project site in South Jakarta, can hardly have the same pride.
"But I was a bit not convinced that he was capable to carry out his job properly because he doesn't come from groups that usually has the chances of becoming president. I hope in the future everything will be okay," Muammar told Xinhua.
Widodo comes from a humble family who runs a furniture business in city of Solo, Central Java.
He was graduated from state university Gajah Mada.
The previous Indonesian presidents were technocrats or military academy graduates.
Joko Widodo rose to power after he was considered successful in his service as mayor of Solo, and governor of the capital city.
Muammar wished that with the help of all parties, Widodo would prevail in his new job.
Muammar hoped that Widodo would be able to continue what have been done by Susilo Bambang Yudoyono which he viewed to have significantly brought positive changes to the country.
"And we should thank president SBY for that," Muammar said.
Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono left the presidential palace ushered by President Widodo.
Yudhoyono seemed a bit emotional upon hearing a song about a hero who left for a war when he stepped out from the palace.
The former president struggled to control his emotion but his tears were broken when he walked to his private car transporting him to his residence in the eastern part of the city.
Yudhoyono left his job as the nation's president in the last 10 years with remarkable achievements.
Some analysts say the former president was capable to reset the works of the nation's institutions, creating a system for further development plans, a friendly foreign policy, health insurance for the public and workers, and a high economy growth.
On the way to his residence, many people greeted Yudhoyono from sidewalks, spreading banners that express their gratitude on what he has done for the nation.
Soon after assuming office, President Widodo is facing hard tasks related to fuel price hike issue.
Analysts said the new government likely has no other option except increasing the price of subsidized fuels to reduce heavy burden, in a bid to make enough fiscal space to finance development programs, particularly in infrastructure and health and education allowances.
