Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, officially re-elected after the Constitutional Court threw out Prabowo Subianto's election challenge this week, on Sunday called on his defeated rival and his running mate Sandiaga Uno to work together to build the country. 

Jokowi made the call at the office of the General Elections Commission (KPU), which today announced him and Ma’ruf Amin as the president and vice-president of Indonesia for 2019-2024. 

According to Indonesia's Election Law, the KPU has to announce the winners of the election within three days after the Constitutional Court issues its verdict on an election dispute.

"Following the Constitutional Court's verdict on June 27, we can now officially declare Joko Widodo and Ma’ruf Amin as president and vice-president of Indonesia for 2019-2024," KPU chairman Arief Budiman said on Sunday.

Prabowo and Sandiaga did not attend the announcement at the KPU office. They were represented by Habiburokhman, the head of the advocacy and legal department of Prabowo's Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra).

After the announcement, Habiburokhman kissed Ma'ruf's right hand, a common gesture of respect in Indonesia, and then shook hands with Jokowi. 

"We thank the people of Indonesia for the trust they have given us to continue this historical duty to turn Indonesia into a nation of dignity, the equal of other great countries in the world," Jokowi said.

He also called on Indonesians to stay united and put aside the political divide created by the presidential election. 

"Indonesia is a big country, no one group can build it on their own. I hope Prabowo and Sandiaga can contribute to our development," Jokowi said.

He said he believed Prabowo and Sandiaga are patriots who want Indonesia to be a strong, just and prosperous country. 

"We must reconcile to become one Indonesia, a united country based on the Pancasila," he said.

Jokowi Stood Up Again by Prabowo?

Prabowo and Sandiaga's absence on Sunday delayed once again a much-anticipated "reconciliation" meeting with Jokowi after a divisive election. 

Prabowo has announced that he accepted the Constitutional Court's decision to reject his demand to overturn the election outcome, but stopped short of conceding defeat. 

Jokowi's aides have been working behind the scenes to arrange a meeting between the president and Prabowo to cool down tension between their supporters.

KPU commissioner Ilham Saputra said the commission had invited Prabowo and Sandiaga to Sunday's announcement but pointed out that "there are no consequences for not coming."

Prabowo's spokesman Andre Rosiade said it was normal for Prabowo to skip the KPU's election winners announcement. 

"It was like that in past years as well, only the winner would come to the KPU," Andre said, as quoted by Antara news agency. 

Andre said it was not because Prabowo was reluctant to reconcile with his rival. 

"Don't forget, we have accepted the Constitutional Court's decision and we will comply with it," he said. 

Internal Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said Jokowi's second-term inauguration will be held on Oct. 20.  

Gerindra to Join Government?

Jokowi's statement calling on Prabowo and Sandiaga to work together with him and Ma'ruf can be seen as a sign that the president wants Prabowo's Gerindra Party to join his ruling coalition, Muhammad Qodari, the executive director of Jakarta-based political polling company Indo Barometer, told Metro TV on Sunday.

Prabowo on Friday disbanded his "Adil Makmur" (Just and Prosperous) coalition that backed him in the presidential election. 

Two parties in the coalition, the Democratic Party and the National Mandate Party, have hinted they might join the Jokowi-led government. 

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