REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged cadres of the Democratic Party to practice civility in their criticism of the government.

"Criticisms from the Democratic Party must be made using language that does not insult the president or anyone in a position of importance in the government," he said here on Saturday at the inauguration of the party's central executive board members.

Yudhoyono was recently chosen to lead the party, which he also helped set up, once again.

The former president recalled situations in his two terms of presidency, from 2004 to 2009 and 2009 to 2014, when his government faced a lot of ill-mannered and exaggerated flak.

"When I was leading the country, I received a lot of criticism that was directed towards me impolitely and with the intention to discredit. That was enough. Let it not be repeated," he remarked.

In addition, Yudhoyono asked the government to be willing to accept criticism and suggestions for the sake of democracy.

"The government must also be willing to accept criticism and corrections. Democracy will die unless criticisms are well-received and not considered insulting or a crime," he pointed out.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the party held a national leadership meeting to discuss preparations made for the simultaneous regional head elections scheduled to be held on December 9.

Yudhoyono told party members to respect the president's policies when they are elected later.

"It is a must for local leaders, such as provincial governors and city mayors, to be loyal to the president," he emphasized.

Furthermore, on Sunday, the Democratic Party will determine candidates who will run for the polls.

The Democratic Party supported Yudhoyono as the president of Indonesia for two terms. However, it lost in the last general elections in 2014, having finished fourth after the PDIP, the Golkar Party, and the Gerindra Party.

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