Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott stole the media spotlight at the inauguration of Indonesia's seventh President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Monday when, after turning down questions from reporters, he proceeded to pose for several photographs.

Abbott, who attended the inauguration ceremony along with several other foreign leaders, including Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, was preparing to leave the main building of the Senayan legislative complex after the ceremony concluded when a group of local journalists approached and asked him to comment on Jokowi's new government.

Smiling, Abbott declined to comment before engaging in a brief conversation with Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, and Australian ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty.

Suddenly, a ceremony guest asked Abbott to pose for a joint photograph. Several other guests and journalists soon followed suit, with Abbott posing for a series of photographs before departing.

In a statement posted at the prime minister's office on Sunday, Abbott said Jokowi's presidential inauguration was an important occasion for Indonesia.

'It [Indonesia] has the world's largest Muslim population, the world's third-largest democracy and, along with India, it's the emerging democratic superpower of Asia,' the statement read. (nfo)(++++)