"Today Ibu (Mme) Mega and all central executive board of the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) received Bapak (Mr) Setya Novanto in his capacity as the general chairman of Golkar Party," PDIPs secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto said in a joint press conference with Novanto after the meeting.
Hasto said a lot of issues including national political dynamic and international political situation had been discussed at the meeting which was held at the residence of Megawati who is PDIPs general chairperson on Jalan Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta.
Also being discussed was joint agenda between the two parties as Golkar Party has declared to give full support to the government of President Joko Widodo who is from PDIP and vice president Jusuf Kalla who is also known as a Golkar figure.
At the meeting Megawati was flanked by Hasto Kristiyanto, deputy secretaries general Ahmad Basarah and Utut Adiyanto while Setya Novanto by secretary general Idrus Marham, chairman of election affairs Nusron Wahid and associate chairperson Nurul Arifin.
Hasto said PDIP and Golkar as supporters of the government certainly need to increase communication with regard to latest political developments in the country including the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
"In the meeting just now Mme Mega reminded that the Indonesian state has been built through a long struggle. We have experienced ups and downs in the past due to various conflicts and when conflict happens it is the people that suffer. People suffer. Indonesia also suffer," he said.
In view of that Hasto said dialogue must always be put first while commitment to settling all matters through legal avenue must also be really prioritized as Indonesia is a law-based country.
"The effectiveness of PDIP and Golkar joint political cooperation has also been discussed," he added.
Setya Novanto said political parties that support the government must continue to assure the implementation of the countrys commitment to nationhood with regard to diversity and pluralism.
He said this was important with regard to safeguarding and preserving national unity as well as peace.
"We have also made commitment to creating peace, security with regard to regional elections," he said.
Regarding Jakarta gubernatorial election PDIP and Golkar Party remained committed to supporting incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and his running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat.
In connection with his legal problem the parties would refer it to the legal process.
"We refer it to the authorities concerned," Novanto said.
The police have named Basuki Tjahaja Purnama as suspect over a blasphemy case.
Muslims held a huge demonstration in the capital city on November 4 demanding immediate legal process of the case that led to a chaos after it went peacefully until the deadline at 6pm.
They plan to hold another demonstration on December 2 to demand the detention of Basuki.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
