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Ahok vows to continue Jokowi's programs
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama: (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki âAhokâ Tjahaja Purnama says in the event he becomes governor because Joko âJokowiâ Widodo has won the presidency, he would continue the cityâs current and priority programs under the New Jakarta paradigm
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Basuki Tjahaja Purnama: (JP/Ricky Yudhistira) (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama: (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama says in the event he becomes governor because Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has won the presidency, he would continue the city's current and priority programs under the New Jakarta paradigm.
'I will continue the existing programs according to the vision and mission we formulated when we first took the office,' he was quoted as saying by news daily Kompas recently.
He said that with political support from the City Council and residents, he would continue flood mitigation programs ' namely, the ongoing revitalization of Pluit Dam in North Jakarta, dredging waterways, relocating riverbank squatters to low-cost apartments and the development of new reservoirs ' and public transportation projects aimed at mitigating Jakarta's notorious traffic congestion.
Though the agenda might be the same, the style of an Ahok-led administration would diverge from Jokowi's. For instance, Ahok said he did not think it was necessary to conduct blusukan, the impromptu visits that have become Jokowi's trademark, on as frequent a basis.
Political analyst from the University of Indonesia (UI) Donni Edwin said on Tuesday that Ahok, with his direct, coarse leadership style and minority background, would face attacks from political enemies were he to become governor.
'There will be political pressure, and resistance will come from people who have been disadvantaged by the policies of Jokowi and Ahok. These people may use his ethnicity, religion or temperament to try and influence public opinion,' he said.
He said businesspeople, thugs, squatters or old-time bureaucrats who held a grudge against the two might be able to mobilize people better than the silent majority that supported Ahok's leadership and programs.
Donni added that the City Council would blow with the political wind while gauging public response in determining its support for Ahok's putative governorship.
Meanwhile, political parties have voiced mixed reactions to the possibility of Ahok becoming governor.
Jakarta City Council Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction chairman Boy Bernardi Sadikin played down speculation that Ahok would face attacks for his ethnicity, religion and leadership style.
'It is not the right time to have such a perspective. Those holding onto such a political horizon are not ready for the New Indonesia. All leaders are the same regardless of their religion or ethnicity,' Boy said.
City Council deputy speaker Abraham 'Lulung' Lunggana from the United Development Party (PPP) said his party would have no choice but to accept Ahok.
'They were chosen by the people and it's in accordance with the law that Ahok replace Jokowi if the latter is elected as president. We just expect less controversy and more substance from Ahok,' he said.
Lulung pointed out, however, that politesse was necessary to maintain political stability.
According to the 2004 Regional autonomy Law, Ahok will be immediately sworn in as governor to replace Jokowi if the latter, who was recently nominated by the PDI-P as its presidential hopeful, won the race.
