Jokowi Opens Opportunity for Other Parties to Join Him

Semarang, Central Java (Antara Bali) - Presidential candidate Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is open to political parties supporting his rival to join his coalition.

"Anyone wishing to join us to build the Indonesian nation and state will be accepted. It is no problem," he said here on Sunday.

He made the statement in response to a question over Golkar Party's plan to join his coalition of parties that have supported him in the presidential election on July 9.

He arrived at the Marhaenis Center here at around 8.40pm after visiting his family in Solo.

Golkar Party along with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the Moon and Star Party (PBB) and the Democrat Party supported the Prabowo-Hatta ticket in the election.

The Jokowi-JK duo meanwhile was supported by the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), the National Democrat Party (Nasdem), the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) and the Indonesia Justice and Unity Party (PKPI). 

Several survey institutes have declared the Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla pair as the winner of the election but according to other survey institutes it was their rival, the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa duo that has won the election.

The General Election Commission (KPU) meanwhile will only announce the result of the election on July 22.

"Please be patient and wait for the announcement from the KPU," Jokowi said in the company of the chief of Central Java's success, Heru Sudjatmoko and the chief of the team of volunteers for the Jokowi-JK pair, Ganjar Pranowo.

On the occasion Jokowi expressed thanks to all people in Central Java for their support.

"Frankly speaking I was surprised at the result of real count that shows that the Jokowi-JK pair wins in all districts and cities in the province," he said.

He said the victory was the result of hard work of all supporters.

"I think I will lose in two, three or four districts but it was found that I won in all districts and cities in Central Java," he said.

He said he believed the result of real count by his camp would not be far different from the result of counting by KPU.

With regard to the current process of recapitulation Jokowi called on all people to monitor it to prevent possible fraud or manipulation.

"Report in case you find results of vote counts being changed so that the authorities concerned could follow it up as the act is a crime," he said.

When asked if he has plan to meet with his rival Prabowo Subianto he said he has not yet thought about it. (WDY)