N

achrowi Ramli, running mate of incumbent Governor Fauzi Bowo, paid a visit to the city poll supervisor’s office on Friday to clarify allegations that he told Jakartans to leave the capital city if they do not vote for native Jakartans in the Sept. 20 runoff election.

The Fauzi-Nachrowi pair, both native Jakartans, have been perceived to be using sectarian issues to gain voters’ support ahead of the election runoff against Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the active Surakarta mayor, and his running mate Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent from Bangka Belitung.

Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) Ramdansyah said that Nachrowi came in his capacity as the chairman of the Betawi Council, the city-funded forum representing the Betawi community, “We appreciate him for answering the summons during the busy campaign.”

Nachrowi was questioned for about 45 minutes. He was accompanied by members of the Democratic Party and a number of Betawi groups, including the notorious Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR).

Speaking to reporters, Nachrowi said that his statement had been taken out of context.

“My statement should be taken in its entirety,” he said.

While delivering a speech during a gathering held by the Betawi Council, Nachrowi reportedly said, “I remind you all to remain united for Jakarta. Please leave Batavia [Jakarta] if you do not choose a Betawi.”

This is the second time that the Fauzi camp had been summoned by the Panwaslu over alleged racial slurs. Previously, dangdut singer Rhoma Irama had to face questioning after making allegedly derogatory remarks against Ahok’s ethnic origin and religious belief.

Also on Friday, former gang leader and chairman of the New Indonesia’s People Movement (GRIB), Hercules, went to the city police’s headquarters to report the existence of banners across the capital he claimed were put up to defame him.

The banners tell Jakartans to vote for Jokowi in the runoff if they want a “peaceful” Jakarta.

Hercules said that even though his group officially endorsed Jokowi, he did not put up the banners. He made it clear that the organization would not pressure anyone to vote for a particular candidate. “Everyone has the right to chose their leader, either Fauzi Bowo or Jokowi.”

Jakarta Police chief Untung S. Rajab said the police did not have the authority to follow up on Hercules’ allegations. “To define whether the banner installation is campaign violation or a black campaign is Panwaslu’s authority, not the police,” he said. (aml)