... if Mr Jokowi is destined to be Indonesia`s leader, all veterans and the people of Indonesia will hold the hope that our sovereignty will be preserved ..."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed President-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on the occasion of the 2014 National Veteran Days commemoration event, offering his thoughts on Indonesias sovereignty.

"Today, Mr Jokowi is present here with us. We are still awaiting the verdict of the Constitutional Court, but if Mr Jokowi is destined to be Indonesias leader, all veterans and the people of Indonesia will hold the hope that our sovereignty will be preserved and that no one will be permitted to violate it," said President Yudhoyono as part of his remarks at Sarbini Hall in Jakarta on Monday.

Yudhoyono noted that Indonesia must keep moving forward and developing as a strong nation that holds sovereignty over its territory.

"In 2045, on the 100th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Indonesia, we want Indonesia to be recognized as a strong, developed country in the realm of politics, the economy and defense matters. Hence, we must preserve our defense strategy, no matter what. The integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is a fixed commitment," Yudhoyono emphasized.

Regarding efforts being made to safeguard the country, Yudhoyono noted that if a political leader wishes to issue a war policy, then he must first carefully examine the associated risks and consequences.

"War is the last resort. If political and diplomatic means have not been able to resolve the problems for Indonesia, then war must be declared since the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesias sovereignty is a fixed commitment," he stressed.

The commemoration event was also attended by some veteran generals, Yudhoyonos cabinet ministers, and the head of the Indonesian Police.

On July 22, the General Elections Commission officially announced that the Jokowi-JK pair had won the 2014 presidential elections.

The Jokowi-JK pair had received 53.15 percent of the votes, while the Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa pair saw 46.85 percent.

However, Prabowo had rejected the election result, alleging that massive fraud had occurred during the elections, and announced his withdrawal from the election process.

On July 25, the Prabowo-Hatta pair filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court, challenging the presidential election result.

Under the law, the Constitutional Court must issue a verdict no later than August 21, 2014.

(Reporting by Panca Hari Prabowo/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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