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Major celebrations to end Jakarta election campaign period
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Warm welcome -- Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama greets residents during an impromptu visit to Kalimalang Market in Cakung, East Jakarta, on Thursday. Residents and sellers complained that the nearby river often caused flooding in the vicinity, including at the market. (JP/Nurul Fitri Ramadhani)
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wide variety of activities are being prepared to entertain Jakartans before the end of the gubernatorial election campaign period on Feb. 11.
The activities are expected to ease political tension created during the four-month election campaign period in the capital, deemed the most divisive among all regional election campaigns. Narrow popularity rating gaps among the three tickets have prompted political elites to take part in campaign activities.
On Saturday, Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat will stage a "people's party" in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. A wide variety of food will be offered at the event, which has been designed as a culinary festival.
Before attending the party, Ahok and Djarot are scheduled to meet with members of political parties that supported them for final preparations ahead of voting day on Feb.15.
They comprise the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Golkar Party, the NasDem Party, the Hanura Party and the United Development Party’s (PPP) faction led by Djan Farid.
“The point is we want to tell our supporters to face the election fairly and to watch out for indications of transactional politics. Let's strive for fair competition," campaign team secretary Ace Hasan Syadzily said on Wednesday.
Also on Feb. 11, Ahok's rival Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and running mate Sylviana Murni will hold a campaign event at the Pertamina Sports Stadium, South Jakarta.
The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) intends to hold another anti-Ahok rally on Feb.11, despite the Jakarta Police banning the move. (ebf)
