TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked both presidential candidates Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto to willingly accept the presidential election result and not to disrupt the vote recapitulation conducted by the General Elections Commission (KPU).
"Admitting defeat is noble. Congratulating the winner is noble," said SBY during a speech at the 2014 CSR Award event held by Antaranews in Jakarta on Monday, July 21, 2014.
SBY said that God loves those who are sincere and congratulates the winner. He added that the willingness to admit defeat will be rewarded with the same nobility later on.
According to SBY, election participants this year should reflect on the 2004 and 2009 presidential elections, which went well and peacefully. However, this year's election is different as competition between both presidential candidates is tight and fierce.
SBY even noticed tensions building up between political elites. He said that the situation contradicts the people's hope, which is a calm general election and a normal life.
SBY hoped that peaceful situation during election can be maintained and said that the people and political elites have the obligation to guide and strengthen democracy.
RIKY FERDIANTO