Jakarta – Presidential candidate Joko Widodo, who claims victory in Wednesday's election, says this year's race opens a new chapter for Indonesia as people have decided to set a new direction for the country.

He said that based on preliminary results from credible polling stations, he and vice presidential running mate Jusuf Kalla were currently in the lead over rival Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Hatta Rajasa.

Joko had 52.98 percent of the votes, while Prabowo had 47.02 percent, according to results from pollster Saiful Mujani Research & Consulting. The data were based on 99.7 percent of the vote counted, and the margin of error was 0.62 percent. Altogether, seven polls called Joko as the leading candidate, while four listed Prabowo on top.

"We all want the better Indonesia whose people are healthy, smart, civilized, prosperous ... Today history has been made, this is a new chapter for Indonesia," he said, wearing his signature checkered shirt while speaking to a group of supporters at Tugu Proklamasi in Central Jakarta, a few hours after declaring victory.

"I want to firmly say that the victory that had been stated by the quick count results is not Jokowi and JK's victory, not the campaign team's, political parties' – but the victory of all of Indonesia. One more time, this is the victory of all Indonesians," Joko added.

The real victory, he said, came from the public's participation in the election. Indonesians are aware of their rights and obligations, and do not let themselves be intimidated, Joko added.

In April, 75 percent of voters turned out for the legislative election, and that ratio was higher for this presidential election, at 82 percent, according to a pollster cited by BeritaSatu.com – in what was viewed as a tight race. More than 190 million people were registered to vote in the nation's 34 provinces on Wednesday.

"The more important thing after the presidential election is to serve the people. Parties should unite and make Indonesia a better place," Joko said.

Joko also urged the public to wait for the official announcement from the General Election Commission (KPU) on July 22, when the official results are due. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had called for calm between both sides of the presidential tickets amid concern that supporters of either side might cause unrest.

"Do not taint the sincerity of the people's voice in today's election. I appreciate Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa for what they have contributed to democracy in Indonesia," Joko said.

He added that he respected the two men and called them statesmen, patriots and fighters for Indonesia. He also expressed his appreciation of the president, whose two-term limit ends in October.

"You have supervised and led the presidential election to run well all long," Joko said about Yudhoyono.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/election-win-victory-indonesians-joko-says/