J

akarta Deputy Governor Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaya Purnama may believe in the principle held by Mark Twain: '€œIf you tell the truth, you don'€™t have to remember anything.'€

Many leaders in this country fail to tell the truth, which is why they can'€™t be direct like Ahok, who says everything blatantly. If usually leaders try to behave as sweet as possible to maintain a good image, Ahok shows his original character. He realizes that being a '€œbad cop'€ is not easy, and he is fully aware of the risks.

As he has no hidden agenda, why shouldn'€™t he speak freely? His activities are recorded and uploaded to Youtube for transparency. Recently, he was told to have a psychological checkup because of his frequent sharp remarks. Rather than countering this cynical comment, he stated that he was insane.

His outspoken style shocks people and sometimes makes them anxious. A couple of times I have heard him say, '€œI am not fearful of anything, even to taste death.'€ Recently, while experiencing a tough challenge regarding the relocation of street vendors at Tanah Abang market, he said, '€œI am ready to die for the sake of the Constitution,'€ referring to his stance in upholding bylaws by prohibiting vendors from trading on the streets.

Ahead of Jakarta'€™s gubernatorial election last year, a smear campaign was launched to discredit him. Ahok was targeted for being a Chinese-Indonesian and Christian. But thankfully, people were mature and egalitarian and judged him based on personal quality and track record.

As predicted, Ahok remains Ahok, who has been labeled stubborn and assertive. He realizes that there will always be someone who is unhappy with him when he makes a decision to solve the myriad problems of Jakarta.

On July 29, Ahok received several protesters, who asked him to change his behavior and be more polite, more careful and less offensive toward Tanah Abang'€™s figures. '€œTo solve Jakarta'€™s problem, someone will always be hurt,'€ Ahok answered. When they claimed to have supported him in last year'€™s election, Ahok replied firmly that he would only adhere to the Constitution, not constituents. He agreed to use the persuasive approach, but said that law enforcement was also necessary. He threatened that defiant street vendors who rejected the persuasive approach would face legal action.

His foes may consider him '€œinsane'€ because of his courageous acts, particularly when dealing with the Tanah Abang market problem, but for people who dream of having a new Jakarta, it doesn'€™t bother them at all whether Ahok is '€œinsane'€ or not. The most important point is how Ahok works totally for the people and for a solution to the problems. Comments by netizens on Youtube and in news outlets are very supportive of his actions.

Now, not only does Ahok have a lot of complicated tasks but he also has to perform them perfectly because invisible hands are waiting for him to slip up. But it seems he has nothing to lose.

Titus Jonathan
South Tangerang