Before speaking to journalists, they were involved in a relaxed discussion, although at certain moments they were also seen to be talking seriously with one another.

Jokowi said he often talked with Kalla on the veranda of the State Palace in the evenings.

“We often chat here in the evening, particularly when the weather is good,” Jokowi said during the joint press conference as reported by tribunnews.com.

Previously, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fahri Hamzah criticized the supposedly fractured nature of Jokowi and Kalla’s leadership.  

“It is regrettable that Pak Jokowi is becoming distant with Pak Kalla. We want them to maintain a strong bond,” said Fahri on Wednesday.

Recently, Kalla openly criticized Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama for Ahok’s statements surrounding a verse in the Quran that sparked off Friday’s mass rally. Jokowi, by contrast, has openly supported the governor’s re-election bid.

Jokowi confirmed that before speaking to the journalists, he and Kalla had discussed the demonstration against Ahok organized by Islamic organizations. Certain Muslim groups are demanding that the police prosecute Ahok for alleged defamation. (bbn)

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