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A people's victory
(Various sources)The worldâs third-largest democracy swept away on Wednesday the last vestiges of the Soeharto era as trusted quick count results confirmed Joko âJokowiâ Widodo would become the seventh president of Indonesia
(Various sources) (Various sources)
(Various sources)
The world's third-largest democracy swept away on Wednesday the last vestiges of the Soeharto era as trusted quick count results confirmed Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo would become the seventh president of Indonesia.
The people spoke in a celebration of democracy, and the people won.
In an improbable story, Indonesians elevated an ordinary man to become a nobleman.
'This is the victory of the entire Indonesian people,' said Jokowi in a speech delivered before thousands at the Proclamation Monument in Central Jakarta, where the nation's founding fathers declared Indonesia's independence.
'Winning the presidential election means serving the people, taking care of the people's welfare and moving all elements toward achieving prosperity and justice,' said the president-elect.
Jokowi's supporters were quick to throng the streets in celebration, yet he warned of fraud that could occur during the official vote count.
'We must make sure that the vote counts at the KPU [General Elections Commission] proceed correctly, cleanly and without any intervention. I call on all parties to not try to besmirch the sincere aspirations of the Indonesian people in today's ballot,' he said.
Rival Prabowo Subianto, however, refused to concede. He brushed aside all findings other than the quick counts from three survey agencies believed to be financed by his campaign.
'The battle is not over,' said Pra-bowo in his own victory speech. 'If [Jokowi] wants to claim victory, go ahead, but it is legally baseless. I am sure we are in the right position. A warrior does not need to show off. But don't you ever think that we are weak!'
The quick counts from the credible institutions that called the race for Jokowi have in the past proven accurate in forecasting the KPU's official tally.
These quick counts indicate that Jokowi won around 52 percent of the vote, with 48 percent going to Prabowo.
The KPU is expected to announce the official result no later than July 22.
KPU chairman Husni Kamil Manik called for patience and urged the public not to respond to agitation with both candidates claiming victory.
In a race that has polarized the country, the election was deemed by analysts as the tightest since direct presidential elections were first introduced in 2004.
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Cyrus Network, Jokowi won in 17 provinces, including the key battlegrounds of East Java, Central Java and Jakarta, while Prabowo took 16 provinces, most notably West Java, the country's biggest electorate pocket and home to many conservative Muslims.
'Usually, any party or candidate winning West Java would win nationally. But that was not the case with Prabowo,' said CSIS analyst Phillips J. Vermonte.
Jokowi previously acknowledged that he was unlikely to win in West Java as the province was the stronghold of the Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the National Development Party (PPP), both stout Prabowo supporters.
Jokowi, however, did capture significant support in the province as undecided voters swayed into his camp following intensified mobilization of young volunteers after endorsements from several local and international celebrities including Sting, Jason Mraz and the band Arkana.
'Young and first-time voters contributed a lot to Jokowi's victory,' said Phillips.
Speaking to journalists, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged both camps to restrain from inflaming tensions.
'Supporters from both camps must be prevented from inciting conflict or violence while waiting for the KPU to issue the official result,' he said.
Later in the evening the President received Jokowi and running mate Jusuf Kalla at his private residence in Cikeas, West Java.
Jokowi expressed appreciation for Yudhoyono's leadership in ensuring a smooth election.
'The President also asked us to restrain our celebrations. So I called on volunteers, supporters and senior party members to not hold any celebrations starting tomorrow,' said Jokowi, after a 30-minute meeting with the outgoing president.
Prabowo seemed unusually subdued in a press conference following his near-midnight meeting with the President. He said Yudhoyono had also called on him to exercise restraint.
'We are confident we have won the mandate [...] but we will accept the real count,' Prabowo said.
He added that he would refrain from unnecssary celebrations so long as the other side did the same.
'This is a war of perception,' he added.
The election was largely peaceful, despite the discovery of a homemade bomb in Aceh and a smattering of election violations in Java and Bali.
Amid voting, Aceh Police discovered the roadside explosive in Pidie regency.
'A flag emblazoned with a crescent moon and star was placed on the top of the bomb,' said National Police chief Gen. Sutarman, referring to the symbol of the defunct separatist group, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). 'Some 50 meters from the location, there was a large tree that had been intentionally cut down to block the road,' he added.
In Papua, although an armed civilian group had previously threatened to attack military posts in the province, no violence was reported on election day.
'Papua is secure. The threat didn't materialize. We applied tight security measures and the group did not have the opportunity to realize their plans,' Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said in Jayapura, Papua, on Wednesday.
