The Ministry of Home Affairs is set to appoint Jakarta Vice Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat as acting governor after Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama was sentenced to two years in prison today for committing blasphemy against Islam.
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo announced to the press that his ministry would immediately file an official request for President Joko Widodo to terminate Ahok’s status as governor and appoint Djarot as acting governor for the remainder of their term.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs will appoint the vice governor as acting governor of Jakarta until the end of Pak Ahok and Pak Djarot’s term, who will then hand over the position to the next definitive governor,” Tjahjo said, as quoted by Detik.
Ahok and Djarot’s term as governor and vice governor ends in October 2017. But, based on Tjahjo’s announcement, it’s unlikely that we’ll see Ahok in Jakarta’s top office ever again.
They are to be succeeded by the victors of the recently concluded Jakarta gubernatorial election, Governor-elect Anies Baswedan and Vice Governor-elect Sandiaga Uno, in October.
Djarot, who was also Ahok’s running mate in the election, is known for having a very close working and personal relationship with Ahok.
Ahok is currently jailed in Jakarta’s Cipinang Penitentiary.
