Leaders from 17 countries, including PM Lee Hsien Loong, attend Indonesian President Joko Widodo's inauguration

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the inauguration ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo's second term at the Parliament building in Jakarta on Oct 20, 2019. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan during the inauguration ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo's second term. PHOTO: AFP
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during the inauguration ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo's second term. PHOTO: AFP
The inauguration of Mr Joko Widodo for his second and final term as President of Indonesia was witnessed by leaders from 17 countries. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jennifer after attending the inauguration of Indonesia's President Joko Widodo for his second term. PHOTO: REUTERS
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong calls on Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Istana Merdeka in Jakarta on Oct 20, ahead of Mr Joko's inauguration for a second term. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana welcome Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Istana Merdeka in Jakarta. PHOTO: AFP
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen signs a guest book during his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Istana Merdeka in Jakarta. PHOTO: REUTERS

JAKARTA - Leaders from 17 countries gathered in Indonesia's capital city on Sunday (Oct 20) to witness the inauguration of Mr Joko Widodo for his second and final term as President of Indonesia.

Among them were Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Dignitaries from other Asean countries were also present, as were representatives from further afield.

These included Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan and United States Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.

The leaders began arriving at Jakarta's Parliament building on Sunday afternoon in sleek black Mercedes-Benz cars, with the swearing-in ceremony starting at around 3.30pm.

Also in attendance were former presidents Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as well as Mr Joko's electoral rival, former army general Prabowo Subianto.

During the ceremony, President Jokowi and Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin recited the oath of office with copies of the Quran held over their heads, before lawmakers and regional senators that make up the People's Consultative Assembly, or MPR.

Both men then signed the minutes of the president's inauguration, before President Joko spoke on the challenges for Indonesians in the future.

Following the formal proceedings, the visiting dignitaries went up on stage to offer the newly sworn-in leaders their well-wishes.

President Joko, better known as Jokowi, and Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin had won the April presidential election on a joint ticket with 55.5 per cent of the vote.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, PM Lee congratulated the newly sworn-in leaders and expressed his hope that bilateral ties will continue to flourish.

"As close neighbours with longstanding ties, and as founding members of Asean, our two countries have been through much together," he said.

"Over the years, we have deepened our engagement and today we collaborate across the board in trade and investment, digital economy, defence and security, education, cultural and people-to-people links."

Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, who was also present, echoed PM Lee's sentiments in a separate post.

"I wish Bapak President and his new administration all the best in ushering progress for Indonesia, and even stronger relations between Singapore and Indonesia," he wrote.

Mr Lee was among several leaders who called on President Joko at the Istana Merdeka on Sunday morning, before the formal swearing-in ceremony.

In a statement, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said PM Lee congratulated Mr Joko on his inauguration, and said he looked forward to building on the existing excellent cooperation between the two countries.

The leaders also agreed to continue expanding collaboration across many sectors, including in human resource development and the digital economy.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.