President Assures 2019 Simultaneous Legislative Election & Presidential Election Will Run Peacefully, Orderly, Democratically

President Jokowi accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, and Vice President Jusuf Kalla accompanied by his spouse Ibu Mufidah Jusuf Kalla prepare for a group photo with the speakers of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, at Nusantara Building, Jakarta, Thursday (16/8). Photo by: PR Division/Oji

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted that for 73 years, we have demonstrated ourselves to be a tough and resilient nation, a nation eager to succeed in achieving victory and advancement.

“We are grateful that we have been able to make the best of our plurality, each comprising distinct cultural characteristic and local wisdom to become energy sources for advancement of the nation, to become a rich source of energy,” President Jokowi said in his State Address on the Occasion of the 73^rd Anniversary of Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia before the Joint Session of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representatives Council of the Republic of Indonesia , at Nusantara Building, Jakarta, Thursday (16/8).

According to the President, all Indonesians are grateful to have Pancasila as an energy source of the Indonesian nation ideology that guides all the people in realizing the promises of independence.

“Pancasila is a star that directs, moves, becomes a source of inspiration and becomes a unifying force of all Indonesian people with its Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity),” the President added.

By upholding Pancasila, President Jokowi believes Indonesia will become a sovereign and dignified nation in relation to other countries and to be on a par with other countries.

The President also said that Indonesia is grateful to be a predominantly Muslim nation in the world and is also as the fourth largest democratic nation in the world. He added that Indonesia has dispelled fear of threats to instability and political violence in every leadership succession in both national and regional levels.

“One hundred and one simultaneous regional elections in 2017 and 171 others in 2018 were successfully conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner,” the President firmly said adding that the people welcomed this fiesta of democracy with joy, a high enthusiasm, and a better political maturity.

The President believes, with an extensive experience in demoracy, insya Allah, God willing, the simultaneous Legislative Election and Presidential Election in 2019 will run peacefully, orderly, and democratically.

Also attending the the Joint Session of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representatives Council of the Republic of Indonesia were the Third President of the Republic of Indonesia BJ Habibie, the Fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri, First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his spouse Ibu Mufidah Jusuf Kalla, speakers and members of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representatives Council of the Republic of Indonesia, chairpersons, vice chairpersons of State Institutions, Working Cabinet ministers,  heads of Non-Ministerial Institutions, and ambassadors of friendly countries. (DNA/GUN/OJI/AGG/ES) (RAS/MMB/Naster)