akarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has called on Jakartans not to watch his old videos published on Youtube of which he often got angry on a number occasions because now he says he is able to control his emotions better.
“Don’t watch the videos posted three years ago. Watch my videos in the last year of which I have been as polite as mas Djarot,” said Ahok, who is paired with his current deputy, Djarot Saiful Hidjayat, to take part in the Jakarta gubernatorial election scheduled for Feb. 15, 2017.
Speaking to journalists when about to meet with NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh at the party’s headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, Ahok said people should no longer hold onto his past flaws.
“Our weaknesses should not be memorized because [it may cause you to] dislike me. Forget our weaknesses, let’s open a new page,” Ahok said as reported by kompas.com.
The pairing of Ahok and Djarot is supported by four political parties—the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Golkar Party, Hanura Party and Nasdem party.
Currently, six other parties—Gerindra Party, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Democratic Party, the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) are still debating their running mates to challenge Ahok and Djarot.
Among the potential candidates include former national education and culture minister Anies Baswedan, former law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra, former maritime affairs coordinating minister Rizal Ramli and businessman Sandiaga Uno. (bbn)
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