Indonesian Election: Presidential Candidate Prabowo Hasn't Received Congratulations from the US

JakartaHerald.com - The White House or the Presidential Palace of the United States has announced that they have received the results of the Indonesian presidential election, but they are still hesitant to congratulate the candidate number 02, Prabowo Subianto. 

The White House stated that they will only extend their congratulations at the appropriate time, or once the Indonesian General Election Commission (KPU) officially announces the winner of the 2024 Presidential Election. 

According to VOA, Prabowo is a former Army General of the Indonesian National Armed Forces who has been banned from entering the US for over a decade due to allegations of human rights violations.

"We will convey our congratulations at the right time. I cannot give you a definite date or time because I understand that the results are yet to be announced," said National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby to VOA during a briefing at the White House on Saturday (17/2/2024). "We will respect the voices of the Indonesian people."

Early tallies from various survey agencies indicate that Prabowo is leading his opponents, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, by garnering more than 50% of the votes, surpassing the threshold to avoid a second round of elections. 

However, the official count from the KPU will only be released next month. Despite this, Prabowo has claimed victory, telling thousands of his supporters in the capital city, Jakarta, that this is a "victory for all of Indonesia."

The statement from the White House reflects a diplomatic and cautious approach to the election results, emphasising the importance of waiting for the official verdict from the KPU before making any formal declarations. 

The acknowledgement of respecting the Indonesian people's voice indicates a commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.

Overall, the message conveys a sense of professionalism and neutrality, refraining from getting involved in the internal politics of Indonesia while still acknowledging the significance of the democratic institutions at play. 

By maintaining a respectful distance and waiting for the official announcement, the White House is demonstrating a commitment to diplomacy and international protocol in handling sensitive political matters.