TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of Gerindra Party Prabowo Subianto has called on his sympathizers to support the next administration of president-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as long as its projects are good for the Indonesian people.
"I have asked the party that I lead, my friends and loyalists, to support (the administration) of Joko Widodo," stated the retired general Prabowo Subianto after his meeting with Jokowi on Friday, as quoted by Antara News.
He said he believed that Jokowi too would like to preserve the integrity of the nation, diversity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Pancasila ideologies.
But, Prabowo cautioned, if the Jokowi administration makes policies to the disadvantage of the people, then his party and sympathizers will not hesitate to criticize.
"Thats what I have told him, and that is democracy," he added.
He described the meeting as friendly and said he congratulated Jokowi on his presidency.
Political fight is normal, what is important is your intention: to improve the peoples welfare, Prabowo remarked.
"My supporters do not see the difference in our views as a source of division. We belong to the same country and are one nation," he added.
In response to questions regarding his attendance at the presidential inauguration, Prabowo said Speaker of the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan will be presenting him the invitation in the afternoon.
"I have been informed that this afternoon, the invitation will be conveyed by the MPR speaker. As a citizen and a son of the nation, if I am invited, it is important that I should be present. But, I have another personal commitment that requires me to travel abroad. If I can, I will complete my commitment on Sunday evening (October 19) and I will do my best to be present for the inauguration," he pointed out.
Jokowi will be inaugurated as Indonesias seventh president on October 20, 2014. In the presidential election held on July 9, 2014, Jokowi and his running mate M Jusuf Kalla won over 53 present of the total votes, while Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa garnered almost 47 percent, according to the National General Election Commission (KPU).
Prabowo and Jokowi met for the first time on Friday ever since the election.
ANTARA NEWS
