Yudhoyono Calls on Jokowi and Prabowo to Reconcile

Singapore (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged President-elect Joko Widodo and his competitor Prabowo Subianto to reconcile after a tough competition during the presidential election held on July 9.

"I hope Joko Widodo and his team do not constantly maintain a distance from Prabowo. It will be better if the two reconcile," Yudhoyono stated on Thursday in a press conference during his visit to Singapore.

Yudhoyono noted that during the July presidential election, Prabowo garnered a significant number of votes from the people. Prabowo also managed to establish a political coalition, which holds 62 percent of the seats in the parliament. By reconciling with Prabowo and his supporters, Joko Widodo will ensure relatively smooth governance with less pressure from the parliament, Yudhoyono affirmed.

With regard to foreign affairs, Yudhoyono expressed hope that Joko Widodo can cooperate well with his other Indonesian counterparts.    
 
On July 22, the General Elections Commission (KPU) declared Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his running mate Jusuf Kalla as the winners of the 2014 election with more than 53 percent of the votes.

However, the losing side, Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Hatta Rajasa, refused to accept the defeat and accused the KPU of being unfair and rigging the election. Prabowo and Hatta then filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court (MK).

On August 21, the MK wholly rejected the suit related to the dispute of presidential election results as filed by presidential and vice presidential pair, Prabowo-Hatta.

"(Court) rejects the plaintiff's request entirely," noted MK Chief Justice Hamdan Zoelva. (WDY)