Jokowi, Prabowo Pledge to Maintain Unity In Indonesia

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President-elect Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Gerindra Party's Chief Patron and former presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, during their meeting here on Friday, pledged to create and maintain peace and unity in Indonesia.

"We agree to maintain the unity of Indonesia, the nation's ideology Pancasila, and the Constitution," Prabowo remarked after the Friday meeting at his late father's house in Jakarta.

Prabowo revealed that he had urged the members of Gerindra Party and their coalition parties to support Jokowi in running the government. However, he emphasized that if the coalition felt that a government policy was not in line with the people's interests then it would raise objection to it.

"Competition in politics is natural, but in the end, we have to remember that all actions must be conducted based on the people's interests," noted Prabowo.

In the meantime, Jokowi pointed out that he and Prabowo shared a similar vision for the nation.

"In the future, if there is something to criticize then we are ready to accept it," affirmed Jokowi.

Prabowo and Jokowi met on Friday, at 10 a.m. West Indonesian Time (WIB) for 10 minutes. The meeting was not open for media coverage, but both leaders were willing to issue press statements after the meeting.

Jokowi and his running mate Jusuf Kalla are scheduled to be inaugurated as president and vice president of Indonesia on October 20 at the House of Representatives building in South Jakarta.

In the presidential election on July 9, 2014, Jokowi won over 53 percent of the total votes, while Prabowo almost 47 percent.(WDY)

Translating and editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi