"The president and former president should meet regularly," Deputy Chairman of the House Fahri Hamzah said here on Friday.
Fahri suggested that the two conduct regular meetings in a relaxed atmosphere in order for them to maintain a good personal relationship with each other.
DPR Deputy Speaker said if one has become a president, he should also become a statesman.
"Although they are different in their respective political attitudes, they should not entertain personal problems," he said.
Fahri clarified that when he criticizes the government, it is as part of his duties as a member of parliament working under supervision.
But according to him, it should not be mistaken that his relationship with the government is bad because what he was doing was in his capacity of implementing one of the functions of Parliament in supervision.
"If I criticize Jokowi, it is because it is my job, or I criticize other institutions, it is my job. But it should not be considered that I have a bad personal relationship," he said.
Earlier, President Jokowi had received the sixth president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace, in Jakarta on Thursday.
SBY ensured there would be no more miscommunication with President Jokowi as he explained various things that have become a source of miscommunication between him and Jokowi.
"Inshallah (God willing), Im so glad I could explain, and he listened carefully. I also listened to him," SBY said in a press conference with President Jokowi at the State Palace on Thursday.
SBY said his meeting with President Jokowi is a good beginning and hoped that no more miscommunication between himself and President Jokowi would take place.
At the hour-long meeting held at the Merdeka Palace, Jokowi said he discussed various issues with SBY, who is currently the general chairman of the Democrat Party.
The two leaders also took the opportunity to exchange views in the rear verandah of the palace where they then held a joint press conference.
Unlike other previous meetings that President Jokowi has held so far with political figures, the palace did not organize a luncheon agenda for the two.
President Jokowi stated at the press conference that they had discussed various issues, including politics.
"(We have discussed) several issues, including the political and economic situation in the country. Similar to other discussions, various issues were discussed," he noted.
SBY also considered the meeting an occasion to clarify issues that have emerged so far, to make the two leaders gain a better understanding of the real problems.
He reiterated that he had come to the palace as a former president and to not interfere in political matters.
"I positioned myself as a former president, and as presidents, we do not enter into politics, which is very technical," he emphasized.
SBYs son Agus Harmurti had bid for the post of Jakarta governor but failed to pass the first round during the recent voting against incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, with Djarot Saiful Hidayat as his running mate, and former Education Minister Anies Basweda, who contested with businessman Sandiaga Uno.
The run-off election to determine the winner of the gubernatorial election is scheduled for April 19.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
