T

he Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) should be ready to lose its power in the capital as a survey shows Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama would still win next year’s gubernatorial election without the support of the country’s largest party.

The survey was conducted by Jakarta-based Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) from June 24 to 29 and involved 646 respondents. It found that 81 percent of PDI-P supporters would vote for Ahok while only 7 percent would vote for Surabaya mayor and PDI-P member Tri Rismaharini.

“The majority of PDI-P supporters said they would vote for Ahok. So, in general, it is not really an issue for the public whether Ahok runs as an independent or through political parties,” SMRC researcher Sirajuddin Abbas said on Thursday.

If not given a list of candidate names, over 36 percent of voters said they would vote for Ahok. On the same question former law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra and businessman Sandiaga Uno scored far lower, with 2.8 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, the number of respondents who said they would vote for the incumbent governor increased to 53.4 percent when the survey provided the respondents with candidate names. Yusril was favored by 10.4 percent of respondents, followed by Risma with 5.7 percent.

According to the survey, the governor’s electability has in part been boosted by “tangible proof of his work” while serving as governor as well as by his “firm and straightforward style” in leading the Jakarta administration.

 “In general, the public are satisfied with Ahok’s performance and they want him to be in power once more,” Sirajuddin said.

About 90 percent of respondents believe Ahok’s performance in areas such as health, public services and electricity provision is improving.

 “Ahok’s electability remains high though there has been negative news about him in recent months,” said another SMRC researcher, Ade Armando.

Ade was referring to controversies such as the alleged corruption in land procurement for Sumber Waras Hospital in West Jakarta, recent evictions and the issuance of permits for reclamation projects off the capital’s north coast. The cases are regarded as stains on the governor’s reputation.

The poll also showed that Ahok’s ethnic and religious minority status did not play a large part in the majority of respondents’ choices. When asked if an ethnic minority member should not be allowed to be a leader, 64 percent of respondents said they disagreed, 20 percent said they agreed and only 4 percent said they strongly agreed.

Governor Ahok has secured support from the Golkar, Hanura and Nasdem parties, which have a combined 24 seats in the council, more than the 22 seats required for a party or coalition to nominate a candidate. He has also secured 1 million ID-backed signatures gathered by his volunteer support group Teman Ahok (Friends of Ahok), which renders him eligible to run as an independent.

“Which path he takes will not impact voters’ preferences. At least at the time this survey was conducted,” Sirajuddin explained.

Separately on Thursday, the PDI-P submitted six names to party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri for her to make the final party nomination.

“We apologize because we cannot reveal the names. This is an ethical matter,” said PDI-P secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto on Thursday, adding that the list did not include names of PDI-P members who it has been speculated would run in the election, such as Risma and Jakarta deputy governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat.

The names, Hasto said, were taken from 27 candidates who had signed up as part of the PDIP’s open recruitment in April.

PDI-P politician Ahmad Basara, separately, reiterated that the party would not support an independent candidate.

“[Our party] will not nominate someone who is not a party member or someone who wants to run as an independent,” said Ahmad, referring to Ahok.
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