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fter assuming his post as Jakarta Deputy Governor, Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama is never far from the media spotlight. It seems any decision the former East Belitung regent makes triggers fierce debate. Here are five of Ahok'€™s traits '€” who will replace Governor Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo '€” that often spark heated discussion among the public.

Boldness

In speeches, Ahok often mentions that public officials are not supposed to be afraid of death. This belief in the need to be brave has been proven on many occasions, especially when he criticizes
his superiors.

He once reprimanded Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi after Fauzi asked Jokowi to replace Lenteng Agung subdistrict head Susan Jasmine Zulkifli following protests from a small number of residents who didn'€™t like the fact that she was Christian.

Another example of Ahok'€™s boldness was when he closed Jakarta'€™s iconic Stadium nightclub after a policeman was found dead after a drug overdose.

An open-book

Ahok is one of the rare public officials who is transparent about his wealth. Since he was first elected as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR), Ahok has been well-known for making job-related expense reports open to the public, reportedly to the ire of his colleagues.

Ahok also published donations received during his gubernatorial campaign as running mate for Jokowi.

When he became deputy governor, Ahok began disclosing his salary and his bank accounts and invited journalists to visit his hometown in East Belitung, Bangka Belitung to show them his wealth.

Short-tempered

Scolding people in public is one of Ahok'€™s most controversial traits. Many video recordings show Ahok getting angry at his subordinates.

Ahok also finds it difficult to accept criticism of his policies and refuses to take '€œno'€ for an answer from his subordinates, even if their saying '€œyes'€ would go against existing regulations.

'€œCivil servants must follow the procedures. They cannot violate the regulation just because the goal is justified,'€ said Employment Agency head I Made Karmayoga.

Made added that as a result, many officials were reluctant to implement Ahok'€™s orders.

Unlike public officials who guard their speech, Ahok seems to never filter his words. Words like bajingan (b--tard) and kurang ajar (insolent) are often spoken by Ahok when he becomes angry.

Benevolent

For some people, Ahok is known for his benevolence. When he became a House member, Ahok established an NGO called the Center for Democracy and Transparency (CDT), dubbed the Ahok Center.

The CDT founded in 2008, is focused on helping Ahok channel his personal donations to the poor. The center'€™s social work includes helping Jakartans with legal, education and health problems.

However, Ahok has on multiple occasions made disparaging remarks about the city'€™s low-income population.

Funny

Despite his harsh words, Ahok is a humorous man. When he is delivering a speech, he never uses notes or reads from a prepared script, preferring to relay funny stories from personal experiences.

Unlike other bureaucrats, Ahok doesn'€™t try to act formal, often using the colloquial gua and elu (I and you in Betawi) in conversation.

One of his replies to a resident'€™s joking text on his hotline SMS service went viral on social media when he reprimanded the sender using informal language usually reserved for use between intimate friends.

People also feel comfortable when meeting with the deputy governor. He usually welcomes people informally and does not mind when people strike a silly pose when taking their picture with him. '€” JP