Prabowo’s attendance proof of commitment to country’s well-being: Gerindra

JAKARTA — The attendance of losing presidential candidate Mr Prabowo Subianto at Mr Joko Widodo’s inauguration shows he has put Indonesia’s well-being ahead of his own political ambition, the secretary general of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Mr Ahmad Muzani said.

Mr Widodo visited Mr Prabowo at the latter’s home in South Jakarta last week, three days before his inauguration as Indonesia’s seventh president and more than three months since the pair last met in person.

However, Mr Prabowo’s attendance at today’s inauguration ceremony was earlier in doubt. The ex-military general said he had business outside the country to attend to last weekend, but would try to be back in time for the event.

Mr Prabowo arrived at the House of Representatives (DPR) building with politicians from his Red-White Coalition, including Golkar Party chairman, Mr Aburizal Bakrie, and National Mandate Party chairman and presidential running mate, Mr Hatta Radjasa.

Mr Muzani said Mr Prabowo decided to attend the ceremony as a form of respect to the Indonesian constitution. He stressed, however, Gerindra would remain a strong opposition to Joko’s government. JAKARTA GLOBE