"We have discussed the issue in a good atmosphere and 100 percent agree with it. Hopefully, it will conclude well in the future," SBY said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), in his capacity as president of Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), met with President Joko Widodo at the state palace here on Monday.

During the meeting, they also discussed the future of Perppu (government regulation in lieu of law) on regional elections.

The issue heated up after the Golkar Party led by Aburizal Bakrie recently stated it will reject the Perppu issued by then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to annul the Pilkada Law on regional elections that mandates an indirect system of elections for provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors.

The Perppu, which mandates direct elections, is expected to be discussed in parliament soon.

"Just now Pak (Mr) Jokowi (Joko Widodo) took the opportunity to raise the Perppu issue," SBY, as the former president is called, told newsmen at the terrace of the palace in the company of President Jokowi.

"We happen to share a common stand: to jointly safeguard the Perppu so that, God willing, it will be approved by the DPR (parliament)," he noted.

SBY, who is also the general chairman of the Democrat Party, remarked that he and President Jokowi agreed with the direct system of election for provincial governors, district heads, and city mayors in line with the aspirations of the people and sustainability of democracy.

"We have discussed the issue in a good atmosphere and 100 percent agree with it. Hopefully, it will conclude well in the future," he observed.

President Jokowi said he supported SBYs statement. "Pak SBY has clearly explained it. We still have time until January (when the Perppu is scheduled to be discussed). We will certainly fight for it in line with the peoples aspirations," he added.

He said he hoped the agreement will open the doors for the Democrat Party to join the Great Indonesia coalition (KIH) supporting the government.

"Well, we will finish the Perppu issue first. If we can continue it (the cooperation), then why not. Minimally, it will provide an access," he said when asked about the possibility of the Democrat Party joining the KIH.

SBY had issued the Perppu after facing strong criticisms following the Democrat Partys walkout of the plenary session in parliament, which led to the passage of the Pilkada law that mandates an indirect system of regional elections through legislative assemblies.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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