TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Indonesian Army Chief Endriantono Sutarto criticized the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party’s move that refused reconciliation invitation from president-elect Joko “Jokowi” widodo. Endriantono said the party should welcome the invitation as soon as the Constitutional Court announces the decision regarding presidential election dispute on August 21, 2014.
“The losing side should concede a defeat and congratulate the winner [of the presidential election], Endriantono told Tempo on Sunday, August 17, 2014.
Earlier, Gerindra Party’s Deputy Chief Patron Hashim Djojohadikusomo refused invitation to reconcile with Jokowi’ls camp.
“There would be no reconciliation,” Hashim said.
Endriantono considered that the reconciliation invitation from the election winner should not only aim to gain more supports at the Legislative Council, but also to solidify the nation’s unity. Endriantono added that a political reconciliation would positively affect the cabinet arrangement. He said that ministers should not be appointed based on their affiliations with certain parties.
NURIMAN JAYABUANA
