President Calls for All Sides to Forbear During Vote Counting

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on all sides who had competed in the 2014 presidential election to refrain from activities that might heat up the situation during vote counting. President Yudhoyono said during a press conference at his residence in Puri Cikeas, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday, to provide official comment on the escalated situation after the two presidential candidate pairs Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa and Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla had claimed their victory based on quick count results. "As my capacity as the president, as the head of the state, who does not belong to either side, I call upon all sides, either Mr. Prabowo and his team or Mr. Jokowi and Mr. Jusuf Kalla, as well as their team, to forebear and not create too much tension among the factions of the two sides," President Yudhoyono noted. "In particular, they must restrain themselves from actions in the field that have high potential of causing horizontal conflict," he added. The President also called for the political elites to lead their supporters to refrain from any teasing action until everything has become clear, when the General Elections Commission (KPU) announces the official result. "And to Indonesian people, I hope we are not involved in any clashes, horizontal violence, or unruly actions," he said. During the press conference, President Yudhoyono said he had instructed the Indonesian Military and Police, together with the people, to stabilize the situation after the election. President also appreciated all Indonesian people who had exercised their franchise in an orderly and peaceful manner. The official result of the 2014 presidential election will be announced by the KPU on July 22. (*) Reported by Muhammad Arief Iskandar, Translated by Azi Fitriyanti