In the Jakarta gubernatorial runoff election on April 19, incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat is going to have a small, but possibly crucial wardrobe change in his ballot photo.
Ahok and Djarot’s campaign team has confirmed that the latter will appear wearing the peci – a black hat traditionally worn by Indonesian Muslim men – for the pair’s official photo on the election’s ballot paper.
Djarot, a Muslim, appeared without any headgear in the first round of the election.
“This is about aesthetics. Pak Djarot is far more handsome if he wears [the peci]. His moustache sticks out more if he wears it,” said Raja Juli, a spokesperson for Ahok-Djarot’s election campaign, as quoted by Detik today.
Despite this explanation, some believe that this move was designed to attract more of the Muslim vote for the incumbents. Ahok, a Protestant of Chinese descent, has long faced resistance from certain Islamic groups who oppose non-Muslim leaders, especially since the governor is currently on trial for his alleged blasphemy against Islam.
Detik also speculated that this might be a response to the underhanded religious slogan, “Coblos aja pecinya” (“Vote for the ones wearing the peci”) used by their rivals Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno in the first round of the election. Anies and Sandiaga were the only candidates photographed wearing peci on the ballot for the first round of the election.
Whatever the real reason is, this wardrobe change has had some effect as Anies-Sandiaga supporters are now calling on others not to use the slogan anymore.
Agar dapat diketahui oleh seluruh relawan Mas @aniesbaswedan & Bang @sandiuno; mulai hari ini jangan sosialisasi COBLOS PECINYA, karena 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/imczE2gwfE
— Fahira Idris DPD RI (@fahiraidris) March 23, 2017
It must be known by all volunteers of Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno that from today onwards, do not socialize the “coblos pecinya” slogan.
Right, as if Jakartans choose their governor based on things that have nothing to do with a candidate’s leadership abilities, like their wardrobe choices… or religion. Oh, wait.
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