PDIP Lauds Jokowi - Prabowo Meeting

Jakarta, Oct 17 (Antara) - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) hailed the meeting between President-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his rival presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto here on Friday. "Jokowi`s meeting with Prabowo today has proved that the two leaders are great Indonesian personalities," PDIP`s deputy secretary Ahmad Basarah said in a text message. He noted it was characteristic of great individuals to be responsive toward the development needs of the nation and take initiatives to settle problems. Ahmad remarked that Jokowi was aware that in three days, he would be the president not only for the Great Indonesia coalition, the PDIP or Solo, where he came from, but also for the whole of Indonesia. "His decision to meet political leaders outside the Great Indonesia coalition is proof of his statesmanship and knighthood," he added. At the same time, Prabowo`s willingness to receive Jokowi was an equally smart move, as it demonstrated his statesmanship especially in the midst of rumors about a possible sabotage of Jokowi`s inauguration. "For Jokowi, the presidential race and parliament leadership elections are over," he pointed out. According to Basarah, all state institutions will now follow their duties and responsibilities as prescribed by the 1945 constitution and other laws. "As a great nation, we must be grateful that our leaders have set a good example for the further development of our democratic system," he stated. Jokowi and Prabowo met at the latter`s father late Sumitro Djojohadikusumo`s home on Jalan Kertanegara in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. At the meeting, which began at 10.05 a.m. and lasted 10 minutes, Jokowi was accompanied by his transition team chairperson Rini M Soemarno, transition team deputy chairman Andi Wijanarko, and PDIP member Aria Bima. Gerindra deputy general chairman Fadli Zon and deputy secretary general Edy Prabowo accompanied Prabowo.