White House Congratulates Indonesia After Election

Jakarta Globe, Jul 11, 2014

US President Barack Obama. (Reuters Photo/Kevin Lamarque)

Jakarta. The White House has congratulated the people of Indonesia on a successful presidential election that saw strong public participation and high voter turnout on Wednesday.

“The high voter turnout, spirited campaign and strong participation by Indonesia’s public, civil society and media underscore the strength and dynamism of Indonesia’s maturing democracy,” the office of the White House press secretary said on its website on Wednesday.

The office said that as the world’s second- and third-largest democracies, the United States and Indonesia had many shared interests and values, “including a strong belief in the importance of respect for human rights, inclusive governance, and equal opportunities for all people.”

Indonesia held a largely peaceful presidential election on Wednesday, with the majority of quick counts calling the election for Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo. His rival, Prabowo Subianto, has refused to conceded defeat, though, citing other quick counts that show he won the election.

The official results will only be announced on July 22 by the General Elections Commission (KPU).

The White House also said that the US president looked forward to continuing the bilateral partnership with Indonesia’s new president, who takes office in October.

“The Comprehensive Partnership that our two countries launched in 2010 is a long-term commitment to build on our common interests to broaden, deepen and elevate bilateral relations between the United States and Indonesia, as well as to promote mutual understanding and work together on issues of regional and global concern,” the statement said. “The president looks forward to continuing that important partnership with the new Indonesian president, as well as with the recently elected parliament.”

US President Barack Obama and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have developed a strong relationship and strengthened bilateral ties between the two countries in recent years.

“President Obama and his administration have valued the partnership with President Yudhoyono, who has worked closely with the United States to strengthen our bilateral relationship and our engagement with Asean [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations],” the White House statement said. “As President Yudhoyono nears the end of his term, he can look back on an important legacy of helping Indonesia achieve strong economic growth, strengthened democratic institutions, and a role as a regional and global leader. This administration recognizes with deep appreciation his efforts to build greater understanding between Indonesia and the United States, and we look forward to continuing close ties going forward.”

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