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espite the objection of Jakarta City Council deputy speakers and several other faction leaders, speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi unilaterally decided to announce Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama as Jakarta governor in a plenary session on Friday.

Prasetyo, of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said on Thursday that it was better to announce the appointment of Ahok immediately. '€œWe have not had any significant achievements in our three-month tenure as council members because we focused merely on this matter,'€ he said.

Prasetyo said the city council also did not have the right to inaugurate Ahok as it would be conducted by the Home Minister. '€œThe Home Minister has ordered us to proceed with the inauguration. Hence, I will announce the appointment of Ahok as Jakarta governor during a plenary session on Friday at 10:30 a.m.,'€ he said.

Ahok is scheduled to be inaugurated as governor on Nov. 18.

Prasetyo said if there was any council member who did not agree with his decision, they could take legal action.

One month after the resignation of former governor Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo, now the country'€™s president, Ahok'€™s status is still acting governor.

The delay occurred due to a rift among the councilors, who have different opinions regarding the legal basis for Ahok'€™s inauguration.

The councilors of the parties that form the Red-and-White Coalition in the national legislative body have tried to block Ahok. They cited Article 174 in the regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) No. 1/2014 that a regional leader who leaves his or her post or is dismissed by court decision will be replaced by someone elected by regional councilors.

Ahok, who was in Gerindra, left the party in protest over the party'€™s role in approving the law that would stop direct regional leader elections. Since then, Ahok'€™s relationship with Gerindra has turned sour.

Previously, the parties agreed to consult with the Home Ministry and the Supreme Court regarding the rift.

Prasetyo said, however, he canceled the meeting with both institutions because the deputy speakers were nowhere to be found on the agreed day. He said he was also not worried if the members who did not agree with his decision did not attend the plenary session.

'€œAlthough the plenary session is not a quorum, I still can announce the appointment,'€ he said.

National Awakening Party (PKB) faction leader Hasbiallah Ilyas agreed with the council speaker. '€œWe have to comply with the order of the Home Ministry,'€ he said.

He added that the council should focus more on other tasks, including discussing the city budget.

Deputy speaker Triwisaksana of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said the council should have not held a plenary session yet. '€œWe have to wait for the recommendation of the Supreme Court and the Home Ministry.'€

Deputy speaker Muhammad Taufik of the Gerindra Party said that he would not attend the plenary session.

Ahok said he did not care whether he was inaugurated or not. '€œThe most important thing for me right now is to be working.'€