Lenny Tristia Tambun, Jakarta – President-elect Joko Widodo extended a plea on Tuesday to the political parties under Prabowo Subianto's coalition to part ways with the defeated presidential candidate and join the government.

"I open the opportunity for the... political parties [in the Merah Putih coalition] to join Indonesia's government," Joko said at his office in Central Jakarta.

The parties in the Merah Putih coalition include the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, Golkar, the United Development Party (PPP), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Democratic Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

Joko was confirmed Indonesia's next president by the country's election authority on July 22, but he faces a divided legislature if the arrangement remains as it is today. Parties loyal to Prabowo Subianto hold 63 percent of the House.

The parties supporting Joko are his Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Democratic (Nasdem) Party, People's Conscience Party (Hanura) and National Awakening Party (PKB). They hold the remaining 37 percent.

Joko emphasized, however, that there would be no trading of support for cabinet positions. "We need a strong parliament, but without conditions," he said. "There will be no transactions."

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/jokowi-reaches-prabowos-coalition-partners/