The meeting at Lebak Bulus received mixed reactions from the 2 supporting forces. (Image via: The Strait Times)

Indonesian Politics: Where to Go after Jokowi & Prabowo Encounter

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Editorial
Opinion
Jul 14, 2019
2853
On Saturday (13/7), the reelected President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, and his rival and chairperson of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) party, Prabowo Subianto, met each other at Lebak Bulus MRT station after a long-fought battle of Presidential Election 2019.

The battle was harsh and full of intrigues. Even, some referred to the election as the hottest ever in Indonesia’s governmental history. Starting from the division between the supporters, labeling of “tadpole” (cebong) and “bat” (kampret), until the drama at Constitutional Court, all presented evidence that Indonesian people have grown more critical in terms of choosing their leaders.

Meeting for the first time since their fourth debate, both hugged each other. Opening the meeting, Joko Widodo, generally known as Jokowi, addressed that from now on, there is only one Indonesia, no more “tadpole” or “bat”, calling for the unity between the 2 supporting forces.

People, witnessing the meeting between them, were enthusiastic. Most of them were relieved that finally, the two front-men of the polarizing parties met to settle their differences in a peaceful way.

Prabowo, on the other hand, was also being supportive of Jokowi’s reign, promising criticisms & assistance for the next 5 years. People’s reactions to the meeting are divided. Some saw the meeting as a peace treaty, and some saw it as an inconsistency from Prabowo. Due to this meeting, Prabowo’s followers started to abandon his ship.

Political experts saw the meeting as an intrigue from Gerindra to gain seats in the second edition of Working Cabinet and also an effort to bring back the strident, famous public figure of Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Muhammad Rizieq Shihab. It is evident that Gerindra is trying to fulfill its promise to its supporters.

However, we do want to highlight the statement from the Indonesian president that cried out for the unity of Indonesian people by putting aside their favoritism to contribute to the development of the country with him.

No more “tadpole” or “bat”, just one Indonesia. A message that people now should live up to since the election is now long over. Both Jokowi and Prabowo are 2 best gentlemen in our country. They have done their best, and they have shown the finest quality of democracy to all Indonesian people from Sabang to Merauke. We do hope that people are no longer lingering on hatred and favoritism since Indonesian people are all winners of the previous election.

Source: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20190713125110-32-411824/misteri-negosiasi-politik-di-balik-pertemuan-jokowi-prabowo

Politics , Indonesia , Re-Election , Joko-Widodo , Prabowo-Subianto , Reconciliation , Peace