Jakarta: Joko Widodo has used his first speech as Indonesian president to call his people to "work together, and work and work and work" to make a stronger nation, with a particular emphasis on maritime power.

In front of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and other foreign dignitaries, including US Secretary of State John Kerry, Indonesia's seventh president quoted the first president, Sukarno, to challenge Indonesia to reassert itself as a maritime nation.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his speech at his inauguration ceremony. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"I would like to call all fellow Indonesians to remember one thing stated by Sukarno: 'In order to build Indonesia into a strong, nation we need the spirit of courage to face the waves."

"As captain of the ship I would like to call everyone to come aboard the ship of Indonesia and to say to them we will sail and we will will face all storms and waves based on our strengths."