Singer Glenn Fredly supports Faisal-Biem via YouTube

Glenn Fredly: JP

Indonesian singer Glenn Fredly has expressed his support for Jakarta’s independent gubernatorial candidates Faisal Basri and Biem Benjamin with a four-minute video uploaded onto YouTube.

In the video, which was uploaded on Tuesday, Glenn, known for pop songs, such as “Januari”, said that both Faisal and Biem, who are contesting the gubernatorial election without any political party support, would lead Jakarta in a “new, better direction”.

“As independent candidates, Faisal and Biem do not need to rely on any parties, only themselves. I think their contention means more than just winning or losing, it is about carrying the voice of the voiceless,” said Glenn in the video.

While deeming Faisal, an economist from the University of Indonesia (UI), as a down-to-earth and logical person, Glenn said he admired Biem, a local politician and the son of the late legendary Betawi entertainer, Benyamin Suaeb.

“My name is Glenn Fredly and I support Faisal-Biem, candidates number five,” said Glenn.

The other independent candidates are retired military police chief Hendardji Soepandji and his running mate, politician Ahmad Riza Patria.

Other candidates in the race are the incumbent Governor Fauzi Bowo and running mate Maj. Gen. (ret.) Nachrowi Ramli; Hidayat Nurwahid and economist Didik J. Rachbini; South Sumatra Governor Alex Noerdin and former marine Lt. Gen. (ret.) Nono Sampono; and Surakarta Mayor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and former Golkar lawmaker Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.

The Jakarta gubernatorial election is slated for July 11. (asa)