REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto has lauded the smooth running of the 18th Asian Games from Aug 18 to Sept 2. He congratulated the government and the Asian Games organizing committee (INASGOC) for successfully organizing the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.

"The smooth running of the Asian Games can serve as experience for Indonesia to organize other sports activities at the international level in future. Thank God, the Asian Games has run smoothly," Prabowo said here on Monday.

Indonesia has reached its target of finishing in the top 10 at the 2018 Asian Games. By collecting 98 medals, consisting of 31 gold, 24 silver, and 43 bronze, Indonesia finished fourth after China, Japan, and South Korea. Of the 31 gold medals, 14 were bagged from pencak silat.

Earlier, Prabowo who is also the chairman of Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) and incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) showed very intimate during pencak silat (martial arst) final at Padepokan Pencak Silat in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta, on Wednesday (Aug 29). They were embraced by an Indonesian martial art fighter Hanifan Yudani Kusuma who won gold medal.

The two figures that would compete in 2019 presidential election also talked and laughed a lot that day. Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) said the intimate moment between Jokowi and Prabowo who is also Gerindra Party chief patron indicated that the next year's political competition will be smooth and fair.

“It shows the competition will be fair and polite. The leaders can ben opposite, but (they) embrace (each other),” said JK on Thursday (August 30).

JK urged people to keep situation conducive during the 2019 presidential election and the campaign period. Moreover, the two presidential candidates have demonstrated fair and peaceful competition.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of General Election Commission (KPU) Wahyu Setiawan assessed bromance of Jokowi and Prabowo reassured the public. KPU hoped political elites to educate the public in the next year's election.

"The viral photo of Mr Jokowi and Mr Prabowo brings positive message," he said to reporters at KPU office, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (August 30).

According to Wahyu, political elite's behaviour would influence people's behaviour. He expected political elites to be messenger of peace in politics and educate the voters. Therefore, presidential election 2019 would run peacefuly and safely.

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