Photo: Ahok’s Instagram account
As we told you yesterday, the Gerindra party will be fielding businessman Sandiaga Uno as their candidate to unseat Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election.
With the backing of a powerful political party and a personal fortune once estimated to be about $795 million, Uno would certainly be a formidable challenger. But, when asked about it, Ahok seemed unconcerned by Uno entering the race. In fact, he said it was a good thing.
“Bagus (great) if that’s true, so that the people can choose the best candidate,” Ahok said yesterday as quoted by Tempo.
The governor went on to say that Uno’s candidacy running election was a positive sign for Jakarta, showing that many strong leaders want to tackle the city’s enormous problems (which is kind of true, most people would run away screaming if given the job of solving the capital’s numerous and seemingly intractable troubles such as traffic).
“It could be that later the Governor of South Sumatra will join the race too or maybe the Mayor of Makassar could come to Jakarta,” Ahok said.
Ahok also said that more challengers meant the people would have more choices and would have to study up on their various backgrounds to find the right man for the job.
Meanwhile, Jakarta City Council Vice Chairman and Ahok enemy Mohamad Taufik boasted that Ahok would definitely lose if he chose to enter the race. When told of Taufik’s boast, Ahok laughed and told Kompas, “Bagus, dong. It’s precisely when you’re playing ball and your opponent says,’You will definitely lose” that the game is the most fun.”
