All smiles as Indonesian President Joko Widodo and defeated rival Prabowo Subianto embrace and make up on public MRT ride in Jakarta

It was the first time the political rivals had met since the release of the April election results, which Prabowo had rejected on grounds of fraud

Prabowo congratulated Widodo on his election win and said he would work with the government while also offering criticism ‘because democracy requires checks and balances’

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Prabowo Subianto and Indonesian President Joko Widodo shake. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:01pm, 13 Jul 2019Updated: 1:39pm, 12 Dec 2019

Indonesia’s president Joko Widodo and his defeated election rival met on Saturday for the first time since the divisive April poll, as they rode together on a recently opened subway in the capital, signalling a calming of political tensions in the world’s third-largest democracy.

In a choreographed spectacle, Widodo and former special forces general Prabowo Subianto met and embraced at a gleaming new subway station in Jakarta and sat together chatting on a short train trip.

Subianto had refused to accept the election result and threatened a “people power” uprising. He alleged massive and systematic fraud, but his legal challenge was rejected by Indonesia’s top court last month, reflecting its weak evidence.

Nine people died in riots in Jakarta in May after official results were released, showing Widodo had won 55.5 per cent of the vote.

Prabowo Subianto and Indonesian President Joko Widodo take a subway ride in Jakarta. Photo: AP

Widodo, the first Indonesian president from outside the Jakarta elite, said Indonesians should unite after the bitter election campaign.