REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the 20th anniversary event of the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) here on Sunday. He reminded the nation of the importance of preserving unity during the feast of democracy.

"We must preserve, safeguard and look after the unity together. As politicians we must prevent disunity because of recent elections of district heads, city mayors or provincial governors and later presidential election. We must prevent disunity, disharmony just because of democracy feast that always happens once in five years," he said in his speech at the event held at Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel.

He arrived at the location at 7:15pm, welcomed by PKB chairman Muhaimin Iskandar.

He said division could happen if politicians would not educate people well to make them mature in democracy. He said politicians must educate the people to be mature in democracy. "Do not let our energy gone for insulting and cursing each other," he said.

Several ministers were seen accompanying him at the event including coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Wiranto, minister of fisheries and maritime affairs Susi Pudjiastuti, minister for village development and transmigration Eko Putro Sandjojo, home affairs minister Tjahjo Kumolo and minister of industry Airlangga Hartarto who is currently also chairman of Golkar party.

PKB has recently expressed support to Jokowi in his bid for reelection in the presidential election in April next year.

Jokowi has not decided who will be his running mate in the election. Some names have been mentioned as potential candidates including Muhaimin Iskandar, Airlangga Hartarto, Mahfud MD and others.

Jokowi has to make the decision before August 10 which is the deadline for the registration of candidates for the election. Retired army general Prabowo Subianto has so far been mentioned as his most would-be potential opponent.

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