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President Jokowi, VP-elect Ma'ruf call for unity once more
"Neighbors should not stop greeting each other, friends should not stop talking to each other because we are all brothers and sisters of the same nation," the President said.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo delivers a speech during the declaration of his and Ma'ruf Amin's victory in the 2019 presidential election at the General Elections Commission building in Central Jakarta on June 30, while vice president-elect Ma'ruf stands behind him. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and running mate Ma'ruf Amin once again reiterated their call for national unity after they were declared president- and vice president-elect by the General Elections Commission (KPU).
"Pak Ma'ruf Amin and I thank the Indonesian people for putting their trust in us for this historic duty to do the people's work and take all the people to an advanced and dignified Indonesia that is equal to other countries," Jokowi said in his speech at the KPU headquarters in Central Jakarta on Sunday.
He urged Indonesians to put aside the last 10 months of political conflict and come together to continue building the country.
"Neighbors should not stop greeting each other, friends should not stop talking to each other because we are all brothers and sisters of the same nation," he said.
Jokowi also once again gestured to reconciliation with his opponents, calling Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno patriots who shared his vision of a more advanced and prosperous Indonesia.
Ma'ruf echoed Jokowi's sentiment, specifically mentioning the stark political polarization online.
"Don't block each other on social media just because of different political choices," he said. "We have to end that and resume our ties as compatriots because we have much work to do together."
Jokowi-Ma'ruf rivals Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno did not attend the ceremony despite the KPU's invitation.
Prabowo's Gerindra Party spokesperson Andre Rosiade said they would not attend because "such had been the tradition" in president-elect ceremonies. "Only witnesses from the Prabowo-Sandiaga team would attend," he said as quoted by Antara news agency. (evi)
