There’s probably no political rivalry as brutally (and often comically) personal in Jakarta as the one between Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and Vice Chairman of the Jakarta City Council Abraham “Haji Lulung” Lunggana.
So when reporters yesterday asked Haji Lulung about potentially running with Ahok in the 2017 gubernatorial elections, he predictably said, “I don’t want to be [partnered] with Ahok. I don’t want to be insane like him. No way!” as quoted by Tempo.
The idea of partnering the two foes for the 2017 elections was put forward by Achmad Dimyati Natakusuma, secretary general of the United Development Party (PPP), of which Haji Lulung is a member.
It’s certainly an odd choice for Dimyati, considering that PPP is an Islamic party and its members (including Haji Lulung) have in one way or another supported groups who opposed Ahok as Jakarta’s governor because he is not a Muslim.
But Dimyati believes that Ahok has done a good job as governor and (hardline) Muslims should give him a shot at a second term in case Ahok adopts the Islamic faith.
“Ahok has spoken about the virtues of Islam [and criticized] Christianity. This could be a sign that Ahok has seen the light,” Dimyati said.
