With Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama set to go on a 4-month legally mandated leave (from October 28 – February 11) during the official campaign period for the 2017 gubernatorial election, the Home Affairs Ministry has appointed Soni Sumarsono, the ministry’s director general for Regional Autonomy, as Jakarta’s acting governor.
Soni, who was last year appointed as the acting governor of North Sulawesi under similar circumstances, told the press that he’s committed to follow Ahok’s policies while he’s in office, particularly in regards to putting together Jakarta’s 2017 Regional Budget Draft.
He also said he’s going to ensure a corruption-free bureaucracy in the provincial government.
“[We must be] free from corruption. That’s my commitment,” he said, as quoted by BeritaSatu yesterday.
Soni might not have to act as Jakarta governor for the entirety of Ahok’s campaign period. The Constitutional Court is currently considering a judicial review put forward by Ahok, who argued that, even though incumbents are required by law to go on leave during any campaign period, the law infringes on his constitutional right by preventing him from completing his responsibilities. The Constitutional Court is scheduled to release their verdict today, and Ahok has pledged to return to work if they rule in his favor.
