Jakarta. Newly elected Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto has confirmed his party's support for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, should the incumbent decide to run for a second term in the 2019 presidential election.

"This should be put on record. 2019 is approaching, and as long as the people support Jokowi for president, I, as the party chairman, will support him too," Novanto said at the legislative complex in Senayan, South Jakarta, on Thursday (19/05).

Novanto believes the Indonesian people will support Jokowi during the next presidential election, and that there is no other way for Golkar but to do so also.

Senior party member Theo L. Sambuaga earlier reiterated Golkar's decision to join the administration of Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla for the greater benefit of the nation, as was decided during the party's extraordinary congress in Bali.

"Golkar supports the Jokowi-JK administration. The decision will be applied throughout the party's political mechanisms in the House of Representatives, regional councils and public organizations. In the House, this will be embodied in the budgeting, supervisory and legislative processes," Theo said on Thursday.

The decision to join the governing coalition resulted in Golkar's automatic withdrawal from the opposition Red-White Coalition (KMP). However, he said Golkar still maintains good relationships and political communication with all parties.

He added that the party's support for the administration would involve both criticism and constructive input, meaning the party would not hesitate to speak out if it believes government policies are not in line with Golkar's goals and the Constitution.