Both designs were selected following a competition held by Indonesia’s Creative Economy Board (Bekraf).

Indonesian President Joko Widodo chose the winner from three final candidates, out of 60 participants.

The trio of animal mascots are said to reflect Indonesia’s diversity, with the east of the country being represented by bird of paradise "Bhin Bhin", the west by one-horned rhinoceros "Ika" and the central area by Bawean deer "Atung".

The three characters replaced Derawan, a bird of paradise dressed in uniform used in Indonesian martial art pencak silat, which drew fierce criticism from across the country.

The original design was selected following a competition process, conducted by Indonesia's Youth and Sports Ministry and which attracted hundreds of participants.

The arts community, however, claimed it looked old-fashioned, while many Indonesians claim it resembled a chicken rather than an exotic bird.

Indonesia's Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi subsequently ordered the Indonesian Olympic Committee and Bekraf to return to the drawing board to come up with a new idea.

The new logo, themed "Energy of Asia", depicts an aerial view of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which was built for when Jakarta hosted the 1962 Asian Games. 

It is adorned with imagery of the Stadium’s eight gates and features the Asian Games’ sun logo in the middle.

The logo, which caters for the three criteria of Asia, Indonesia and sports, is also said to symbolise friendship among Asian countries.

The Olympics Council of Asia has approved the change of logo and mascots, according to Sports Ministry spokesman Gatot Dewa Broto.

Presidential chief of staff Teten Masduki, who oversees attempts to improve Indonesia's branding, said the logo was a tool to promote the country abroad.

"We are monitoring the Asian Games preparations closely because it will portray the country’s image," he told The Jakarta Post.

"The nation’s image is not merely about a brand, but also real efforts to improve the nation."

Bekraf chairman Triawan Munaf is hopeful the public will warm to the new logo.

"There is fun in there because sport is not merely about competition," he said.

Since Waidi, a dachshund dog, was chosen as the first official Olympic mascot at Munich in 1972, they have become popular ambassadors for almost every multi-sports Games.

The first Asian Games to introduce a mascot was Delhi 1982 when Appu, an elephant Indian officials claimed represented fidelity, wisdom, and strength, was chosen.

At the last Asian Games, in Incheon in 2014, three spotted seal siblings called Barame, Chumuro and Vichuon, meaning wind, dance and light in Korean, were chosen.

According to officials, the mascots were chosen as symbolic to the future peace between South Korea and North Korea.

One of the other main criticisms of Derawan was that it had no story behind it or really represented anything about Indonesia's culture or heritage.

The 2018 Asian Games are due to take place from August 18 to September 2.