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Young politicians call for calm ahead of election results announcement
Those who attended the meeting included West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak, Banyuwangi Regent Azwar Anas and West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkiflimansyah.
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Maneuvering: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (right) meets with the Democratic Party’s joint election command (Kogasma) chief Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, at the State Palace in Jakarta on May 2. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A )
W
ith the announcement on the final results of the election expected next week, young and rising politicians have called on members of society, including the country’s elites, to uphold peace and unity so as to prevent any potential post-election clashes at the grassroots level.
The move, which has been described by many as another attempt to diffuse political tensions, came after presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto publicly refused to accept the KPU's final result of the presidential election, which is expected to show that incumbent Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been reelected to the presidency.
A number of relatively young regional leaders and children of two former presidents gathered at the Balai Kirti Museum, which is part of the Bogor Palace compound in West Java, on Wednesday, during which they talked about the post-election situation and expressed hope that a peaceful climate would be maintained.
“We agree that we have to continue efforts to strengthen the country’s unity during the days leading up to May 22 and to minimize the potential for clashes,” said Bogor Mayor Bima Arya, who was also the initiator of the meeting, called the “Bogor Forum”.
Figures who attended the meeting included West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak, Banyuwangi Regent Azwar Anas and West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkiflimansyah.
Ridwan said they had decided to join hands as they shared similar concerns over post-election tensions that had affected the grass roots in regions across the country and they felt the need to contribute to spreading peaceful messages.
On the days remaining until the KPU announces the election results, Ridwan said the figures were committed to being positive influences, including through social media.
