JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – After months of political rivalry, President-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with former president candidate Prabowo Subianto for the first time on Friday (Oct. 17) morning at Prabowo’s family residence in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
The two leaders earlier met on July 20, 2014, when they attended the gathering conducted by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace, Jakarta.
In a press conference after the meeting, Prabowo congratulated Jokowi who will be inaugurated as President of the Republic on Monday (Oct. 20).
Prabowo then asked his supporters and also the Red-and-White coalition at the parliament to support Jokowi’s new administration, but also stressed that they will continue to criticize and to supervise the new government.
Jokowi, meanwhile, thanked Prabowo for accepting his request to meet. Jokowi said he’s ready to be criticized by Prabowo and his coalition in order to make sure the check and balancing system work out.
Jokowi and his running mate Jusuf Kalla competed with Prabowo and his running mate Hatta Rajasa in the 2014 presidential race. Since then the country was deeply divided into two warring supporters of Jokowi and Prabowo. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)