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Ahok continues campaign despite suspect status
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Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama inspects a water channel in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. Ahok continues visiting residents, even after being named a suspect in an alleged blasphemy case. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A.)
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ncumbent gubernatorial candidate Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who has been named a suspect in an alleged blasphemy case, continued with campaign by holding a scheduled visit to Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta, on Thursday with his volunteers who became his implicit security team.
Ahok, who previously faced objections during previous visits, was guarded by dozens from the Golkar Party Young Generation (AMPG) and the Ka'bah Young Generation (AMK), the youth wing of the United Development Party (PPP).
Volunteers from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the NasDem Party also stood by at every street corner Ahok would pass.
"Please don't block my way. You can guard me but don't block me. I want to meet the residents," Ahok said to the PDI-P volunteers around him.
(Read also: Ahok proud to be suspect in non-corruption case)
The campaign visit ran smoothly without disturbance as residents warmly welcomed Ahok. As soon as he entered the village, several people flocked toward the governor asking to take pictures with him and shake his hand.
Some children sang "Pak Ahok is the best, is the best" as he walked toward one resident’s house.
There were also residents who stated their complaints to Ahok, in particular about a damaged road.
On Wednesday, the police declared Ahok a suspect in an alleged blasphemy case related to his remarks on a Quranic verse during an event in Thousand Islands regency last month.
Ahok’s alleged blasphemous statement was recorded and uploaded to social media.
The video sparked outcry among conservative Muslims and led to protests, including a mass demonstration on Nov. 4 in front of Presidential Palace, which was joined by hundreds of thousands of protesters.
