Today is Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s 50th birthday. His big 5-0 was celebrated by his family and supporters, despite Ahok’s protestations that he never celebrates his birthday.
“I don’t have the tradition of celebrating birthdays since before, like my father,” the famously no-nonsense leader of the capital told reporters this morning, as quoted by Tribunnews.
Ahok says his wife, Veronica Tan, was the first to wish him a happy birthday, followed shortly after by a group of supporters who showed up at his doorstep early in the morning.
The governor said he appreciated their well wishes but that he only thought of his birthday in terms of how much time he had left to make a difference in the lives of the people he served.
“I’m just conscious that I now have one less year to work for the welfare of the people. So I have to work harder and faster,” Ahok said, adding that his father only lived to 67 so he might have just 17 more years to serve the public.
A lot of people clearly appreciate the governor, not just for his attitude but all of the hard work he has put into making Jakarta a better place for all. #HBD50AHOK was the top trending hashtag in the Jakarta Twittersphere this morning.
Happy birthday Pak Governor!
