"We must respect the ongoing legal processes. There is now a pre-trial process, which we must all respect. I would not like to interfere in it. So, let us wait," Jokowi said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo said here on Thursday he will wait for legal processes in the cases of Bambang Widjojanto and Commissioner General Budi Gunawan to finish before making any decision.

"We must respect the ongoing legal processes. There is now a pre-trial process, which we must all respect. I would not like to interfere in it. So, let us wait," he said after receiving his rival presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto, at the state palace in Bogor, West Java.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo recently decided to postpone the inauguration of Commissioner General Budi Gunawan as national police chief after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him suspect in a graft case even as his candidacy had been approved by parliament.

Soon after, the police named KPK Deputy Chairman Bambang Widjojanto in a case alleging he had prompted a witness to give false testimony in a court session over a regional election dispute in 2010, when he was still a lawyer.

Jokowi said he has received inputs from various sources, including the Independent Team that he recently formed to deal with the conflict between the police and KPK and from the Presidential Advisory Board.

"We have got a lot of inputs from the Independent Team and the Presidential Advisory Board and others. I have accommodated them all and have also understood them. Later, when the time comes, I will make a decision. There are legal processes going on and we must respect that. So, just wait and see," he told newsmen.

He called on all parties to patiently wait for a decision to be made later.

"Just wait for it. I will certainly decide about it," he added.

Prabowo Subianto, who is also the general chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party, extended his full support to President Joko Widodos government and believed that any decision that the President will reach later with regard to the national police chiefs inauguration and the legal case of the KPK commissioner will meet the peoples aspirations.

"We talked a bit about his commitment to strengthening and preserving the state institutions. We support the police as well as KPK as both are very important and must be preserved," he noted.

When asked about his view on the national police chief candidate, Prabowo remarked that to decide on the matter was the Presidents prerogative.

"That is the task and right of the executive. We agreed just now to honor whatever decision the President will reach as he is the holder of the Indonesian peoples mandate. I am convinced he will prioritize the peoples interest and decided what is best for the nation," he pointed out.

Regarding the meeting, Prabowo stated it was a courtesy visit as Jokowi had visited him at his residence before his inauguration as President.

"As easterners we know ethics. I requested him to receive me at his residence and during the short meeting I expressed my commitment to support our joint efforts to build the country and preserve the unity of the nation and eradicate poverty as well as protect the wealth of the nation," he explained.

Prabowo Subianto, who has been elected as president of the World Federation of Martial Arts, invited Jokowi to accept the title of "Chief Fighter" and meet with the ranks of the Federation and the Indonesian Association of Martial Arts.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015