Edo Karensa, Nusa Dua, Bali – The Golkar Party has officially announced it will support President Joko Widodo administration and leave the opposition Red and White Coalition as the country's oldest party elected new chairman on Tuesday (17/05).

"Golkar Party will cooperate with the government. We will support the government's programs," newly-elected Golkar chairman Setya Novanto said during the extraordinary congress in Nusa Dua, Bali, as reported by Antara news agency.

The congress officially revoked a conclusion from the party's 2014 congress which said the party is a member of the Red and White Coalition, led by losing presidential candidate and Great Indonesia Movement Party chairman Prabowo Subianto.

During the congress, Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan reportedly stayed in Nusa Dua – where the congress was staged – and held closed discussions with all chairman candidates, including Setya and Ade Komaruddin.

The extraordinary congress has brought to an end a bitter leadership feud which has split the party for over a year. Setya was declared the next chairman of Golkar after competitor Ade withdrew his nomination in the second round of voting, citing "party unity."

In his victory speech, Setya prioritized party reunification within his first 100 days. "What happened this morning must be a new milestone for the party's togetherness. This is very important for the resurgence of Golkar Party," he said.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/golkar-officially-supports-govt-leaves-red-white-coalition/