Anti-Ahok labor group nominates ex-minister to run for Jakarta governor

Hundreds of workers will gather in the capital on Monday to declare their support for former coordinating maritime affairs minister Rizal Ramli to run for Jakarta governor in the 2017 election, a labor union leader has said. 

Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) chairman Said Iqbal said the workers would file a report with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stating that incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama was corrupt. 

“After the declaration, we will hold a seminar of reclamation titled: does Ahok deserve to be a suspect?” he said in a statement. 

(Read also: Unions want former minister Rizal Ramli to run for Jakarta governor)

The union claims that Ahok has been involved in corruption involving the reclamation of Jakarta's northern coast and the purchasing of land adjacent to Sumber Waras Hospital and in Cengkareng.

Iqbal said earlier that labor unions would continue to garner support from both the public and political parties for Rizal. 

“We are going to approach some political parties, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Party Development (PPP),” he said.

Iqbal said he believed Rizal had shown promise and that should he lead Jakarta in the future, he would listen to the aspirations of workers and the poor. 

To gain more support, the KSPI will conduct a long march in the city to promote Rizal as the next governor, he said, without specifying a date. (dan)

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