Jusuf Kalla, Islamic Figures Hope Jokowi, Prabowo could Meet

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla held a meeting with a number of Islamic figures in his state official residence on Jalan Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, Monday, April 22. During the session, they canvassed short-term plans to deal with issues arising post the presidential election.

One of the plans was a reconciliation effort between the two presidential-vice presidential pairs. “Of course [we hope] Pak Jokowi can meet Pak Prabowo. The sooner, the better,” said Kalla when met after the meeting.

According to Kalla, the meeting of Jokowi and Prabowo could cool down the public tension at the grassroots level. At present, the public seemed to be in disunity following the victory declaration established by the two camps. “We all support such reconciliation to soon achieve public harmony,” Kalla added.

Read also: Jokowi-Prabowo Meeting could Cool Off Political Tension: Experts

Jusuf Kalla further reiterated Islamic figures in the meeting agreed to carry out their organizational activities with the thoughts of the future and implement moderate Islam in Indonesia. Moreover, Ramadan is already around the corner. “May the public be orderly and patiently waiting May 22 without practicing violence or dispute,” the VP underlined.

The General Election Commission (KPU) will announce the official vote-counting results on May 22, 2019.

Islamic figures attending the meeting were Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Said Aqil Siradj, Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir, former Constitutional Court chief justice Mahfud MD, Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) deputy head Zainut Tauhid and general-secretary Anwar Abbas, and the grand imam of Istiqlal Mosque Nazaruddin Umar, among others.

EGI ADYATAMA