SP/Robertus Wardi, Jakarta – Despite being a member of a rival coalition, the Democratic Party said it will not support calls to block president-elect Joko Widodo from being sworn in proposed earlier by fellow coalition members.

"I think that is excessive. We must respect the constitution," Democratic Party executive committee chairman Syarief Hassan told Suara Pembaruan on Tuesday.

Syarief's remarks came after members of the losing candidate, Prabowo Subianto's coalition – including the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Golkar Party – indicated that they were preparing to form a special committee, or pansus, in the House of Representatives (DPR), which will stage inquiries surrounding the organization of the July 9 presidential election.

The camp has continued its allegations of "massive, structured and systematic" electoral fraud after the General Elections Commission (KPU) declared on July 22 that Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo had won the presidential election.

PKS politician Gamari Sutrisno even suggested on Sunday that members of Prabowo's coalition must boycott the presidential inauguration ceremony at the House of Representatives on October 20 even if the Constitutional Court, the only institution in Indonesia authorized to deal with electoral disputes, reaffirms Joko's win.

Gamari believed that the coalition's absence should foil Joko's inauguration. Prabowo's coalition – if they remain intact – will control 63 percent of the legislative seats.

But Syarief indicated that the Democrats might leave Prabowo's camp if the Constitutional Court dismissed Prabowo's challenge and confirmed Joko's win. The court, known as MK, has given a deadline of Aug. 22 to issue a final and binding verdict on the matter.

"We will wait for MK's decision. We will intensify communication [with Joko's camp] after August 22," he said adding that the Democrats will support whomever the new president may be.

"There is no such thing as an opposition in a presidential system... We will back [the upcoming government] if it is for the good of the people but will criticize if it is not."

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/calls-block-jokos-presidency-excessive-democratic-party-says/