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Ahok welcomes Sandiaga as his possible rival
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Businessman Sandiaga Uno (second right) and Nur Asia Uno (right) meet residents of Warakas, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. The Gerindra Party on last Friday nominated him as its Jakarta Gubernatorial candidate. (ANTARA FOTO/Widodo S. Jusuf)
J
akarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has welcomed the Gerindra Party’s decision to nominate businessman Sandiaga Uno to challenge him in the 2017 gubernatorial election.
Ahok said Sandiaga‘s lack of experience was not a big deal as he had good character.
“Experience is not so important for someone to become governor. The most important thing is you don’t accept graft and you also have a good character. The governor’s post will show your true character later,” Ahok said at City Hall on Monday.
(Read also : 'Sahabat Sandiaga Uno' invites Teman Ahok to join their group)
Gerindra’s decision to nominate Sandiaga was made at its national meeting on Friday. The party, has previously expressed its readiness to make a coalition with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and said it was ready to accept Sandiaga as a deputy gubernatorial candidate.
Gerindra could also form a coalition with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). With their 15 and 11 seats, respectively, they make it across the threshold of 22 seats. PKS Jakarta chairman Syakir Purnomo said Sandiaga was an ideal gubernatorial candidate.
“Sandiaga Uno is a smart, religious, firm and polite figure. We really appreciate Gerindra’s decision to back Sandiaga,” Syakir told thejakartapost.com. Reportedly, PKS’s possible deputy gubernatorial candidates are politician Adang Daradjatun and city council deputy speaker Triwisaksana. (bbn)
