President Joko Widodo has called on Golkar, one of major Indonesian political parties, to maintain its solidity ahead of the political year in 2018.

"Many have advised that Golkar must return to its character, identity as a functional party (or) a working party," he said in his speech at the opening of the party`s extraordinary national meeting here on Monday evening.

He said Golkar must remain solid despite the existence of groups of party figures in it.

He said the party must preserve internal solidity well with regard to prevent disruption in the political situation in the country ahead of regional elections in 2018.

President Joko Widodo expressed appreciation to the party that has so far always supported the government`s program, safeguard the state ideology Pancasila and preserve "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" (unity in diversity) principle.

He said the government is currently conducting economic development as well as infrastructure development from the periphery and is needing Golkar cadres who have understood the process of development and political policy to achieve targets.

"In view of that again Golkar must be solid. It must be intact like a banyan tree which is very strong. Golkar must become bigger and important part of political development in Indonesia," he said.

Golkar held the meeting to determine its new general chairman after Setya Novanto was detained by anti-graft agency KPK in connection with his alleged involvement in corruption

Source: ANTARA