Jakarta. President-elect Prabowo Subianto extended his appreciation to the Golkar Party, a crucial ally in the coalition supporting his presidential candidacy, during a visit to the party's headquarters in West Jakarta on Friday.

Golkar, ranked as the third-largest political party in the House of Representatives, has significantly bolstered its position in the recent Feb. 14 polls, now standing second just behind the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), surpassing Prabowo’s Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) in the process.

Golkar played a pivotal role in the presidential election by nominating Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, as Prabowo's running mate. Gibran's inclusion on the ticket in October propelled Prabowo's popularity, culminating in his victory with 58.58 percent of the vote.

"The Golkar Party's significant contribution and the tireless efforts of its executives were evident every time I interacted with them during the campaign season," Prabowo said.

The defense minister reaffirmed his commitment to uphold the democratic principles embraced by the Indonesian people, emphasizing the nation's status as the world's third-largest democracy. 

"As a beacon of democracy, our nation's journey has been observed by many countries worldwide," he added.

Reflecting on Indonesia's history, Prabowo highlighted the nation's resilience in overcoming challenges. "From our struggle for independence to navigating through various crises, Indonesia has prevailed, thanks to the wisdom of our leaders," he said.

Accompanied by Gibran, Prabowo partook in iftar, the evening meal to break the fast during Ramadan, at the Golkar Party headquarters. They were received by Golkar Chairman Airlangga Hartarto and other senior party leaders.

Previously, Prabowo attended an iftar hosted by another ally, the Democratic Party, where he was presented with a painting by party founder and former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.