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Ahok has 'no plans' to join political party
Following his highly publicized exit from the Gerindra Party, Deputy Jakarta Governor Basuki âAhokâ Tjahaja Purnama claims to have no plans to engage in any political party any time soon
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ollowing his highly publicized exit from the Gerindra Party, Deputy Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama claims to have no plans to engage in any political party any time soon.
'I do not want to join any political party at the moment. I am sick of them. I just want to focus on carrying out my duties until 2017,' Ahok said at City Hall on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.
Ahok's comments follow a recent statement by Golkar party politician Priyo Budi Santoso who said that, if he were elected party chairman, he would be willing to recruit Ahok.
'It [Priyo's offer] is not the first I have received. Other parties have approached me, but I have decided to go it alone until 2017,' Ahok insisted.
Despite his declaration, Ahok did not comment on the possibility of his rejoining Golkar in the future if the proposed abolishment of direct elections for regional leaders did not pass.
The former East Belitung regent was a member of Golkar until he jumped ship to Gerindra in 2012 during the Jakarta gubernatorial election, when he and president-elect Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo were elected to lead Jakarta.
He left Gerindra on Sept. 10 in protest at the party's support for abolishing direct local elections, saying that it was through direct elections that he had become East Belitung regent and Deputy Jakarta Governor. (dyl/nfo)(++++)
