"So, criticism is good so long as it is given not in a destructive way and leads to violence. That is what we must avoid and that is also my stance," Prabowo said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government needs positive criticism from all parties, Indonesias opposition party leader Prabowo Subianto said here Thursday.

"Democracy needs criticism. Pak (Mr) Jokowi has never asked Gerindra to not criticize and I cannot (not to do it). I have made a commitment with him from the beginning that he will be in the executive branch and we will be in the legislative. Any policy that we are not in favor of we will criticize," the chief of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) said after meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace.

President Jokowi received Prabowo to discuss national issues and efforts to strengthen national unity.

Prabowo, who was Jokowis rival in the last presidential election, pledged he would continue to support the government through positive criticism relayed in a civil manner.

All community members must make the situation in the country conducive and preserve national unity, he said.

During an hour long meeting Prabowo had expressed appreciation to the president who is not afraid of being criticized and always takes inputs from outside the government into consideration.

A leader must be able to control his words to avoid offending the people, Prabowo said with regard to the disagreement within the community in Jakarta in connection with Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).

Ahok, who is contesting the gubernatorial election scheduled in February next year, has been named a suspect in connection with his alleged blasphemous statement that led to a massive demonstration by Moslems in the capital city on November 4.

"To me, a leader must really be able to make the situation conducive and peaceful by controlling his words to ensure people do not become emotional," he said.

Prabowo, however, urged the people as well as the government to help each other to build the country in the midst of the current global economic slowdown.

"So, criticism is good so long as it is given not in a destructive way and leads to violence. That is what we must avoid and that is also my stance," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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