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Jokowi warned against risky independent path: Ahok
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (left) accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo (second left), Vice President Jusuf Kalla (third left) and Mufidah Jusuf Kalla (fourth left) greets Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and his wife Veronica Tan (second right) during a gathering event after Idul Fitri at the State Palace on July 11. (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)
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akarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama revealed that his decision to run in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election on a political party ticket was due to a discussion he had with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who he said had advised him not to take the risky path of independent candidacy.
Jokowi reportedly gave the advice prior to Ahok declaring that he would run on a party ticket.
"Jokowi told me that taking the independent path was risky. According to the law, the Jakarta General Elections Commission must verify 1 million supporters for me. If I were to fail [in the verification] what would I do then?" he said on Monday at City Hall.
Jokowi did not advise him which political party he should represent, but just gave insight on the advantages of running on a political party ticket, Ahok added.
Meanwhile, despite several Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politicians objecting to the party backing Ahok, the incumbent governor has implied that PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri supported him. The PDI-P has not announced who it will back in next year's election.
“If Megawati makes a decision, all the members remain silent and prepare to implement it,” Ahok said.
Ahok, who previously claimed he would run independently, announced last month that he would run on a party ticket. The Golkar, Hanura and NasDem parties have pledged support for Ahok. (rin)
