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Jakarta needs businessman at helm, says businessman
Upbeat: Politically wired businessman Sandiaga Uno (pictured) is confident of his ability to resolve the problems afflicting Jakarta
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Upbeat: Politically wired businessman Sandiaga Uno (pictured) is confident of his ability to resolve the problems afflicting Jakarta. Sandiaga is one of eight potential Gerindra Party candidates to contest next yearâs gubernatorial election. (Tempo) (pictured) is confident of his ability to resolve the problems afflicting Jakarta. Sandiaga is one of eight potential Gerindra Party candidates to contest next yearâs gubernatorial election. (Tempo)
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span class="inline inline-center">Upbeat: Politically wired businessman Sandiaga Uno (pictured) is confident of his ability to resolve the problems afflicting Jakarta. Sandiaga is one of eight potential Gerindra Party candidates to contest next year's gubernatorial election. (Tempo)
As competition among political parties to win voter support for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election heats up, politically wired businessman Sandiaga Uno has thrown his hat into the ring.
Sandiaga is among eight hopefuls the Gerindra Party will review before choosing one as its official candidate for next year's election. Gerindra is expected to choose a governor and vice governor candidate ticket within the next six months, and with his vast experience as a businessman, Sandiaga believes he is the man to resolve the capital's myriad social problems.
"Businessmen are proven to be able to offer solutions in Jakarta. They have been able to provide jobs, reduce employment and ease transportation obstacles. Just take a look at Go-Jek, a solution to the ongoing traffic problem in Jakarta, for example," Sandiaga said on Tuesday.
He was, moreover, an expert on markets, he claimed, as a member of the Market Vendor Association. The rise in the prices of meat, spices and other commodities were mostly caused by weak logistics and market management, he added.
Sandiaga said a long supply chain and vendors taking overlarge margins were among the causes of skyrocketing commodity prices, promising that were he elected governor, he would take measures to address this.
Recent surveys reveal that incumbent governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama remains the man to beat, though competition is tightening. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency's (BKMG) warning that rains will peak this month establish a prime test of his governorship; if he is seen to handle expected flooding competently, his candidacy next year will be all the stronger.
"We will see in the next two to three months. Personally I don't want Jakarta to suffer from flooding again," Sandiaga said.
Asked about his running mate, he claimed he had no preference as to whether the other member of his ticket was a businessman, politician or academic.
"I will follow the mechanism of the party," Sandiaga said. (ebf)(+)
