Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto on Monday declared that he holds no grudge against former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, his rival in last year’s presidential election. Prabowo said the heated debates and confrontations during the campaign were simply part of the democratic process.

The president made the remarks while delivering a speech at the closing of the National Congress of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in Jakarta.

“I don’t bear any grudge against Anies,” Prabowo told PKS leaders and other attendees.

During the presidential debates, Anies had been one of the fiercest critics of Prabowo, at one point challenging him over large tracts of plantation land controlled by companies linked to the former general. Still, Prabowo noted that Anies also acknowledged his achievements as defense minister at the time.

Prabowo said sharp exchanges during the campaign were necessary to keep the democratic contest dynamic and engaging. “Debates and rivalry should be heated so democracy becomes more exciting,” he said. “But once the election is over, everyone must reunite. We must practice democracy with maturity. Whoever becomes president and vice president, it doesn’t matter -- as long as we are united and work for the nation.”

Indonesia held its presidential election in February 2024, a pivotal contest to determine the successor to President Joko Widodo. Prabowo Subianto, who had lost in two previous bids for the presidency, finally secured a decisive victory with 58.59 percent of the vote.

His main challenger, Anies Baswedan, was backed by a coalition that included PKS, the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the National Democratic Party (Nasdem). Anies finished second with 24.95 percent of the vote, while former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, supported by the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), placed third with 16.47 percent.