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Ahok confident of reelection despite suspect status
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Staying confident – Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama (on stage, second from right) listens to complaints conveyed by Jakarta residents during an event at his campaign team headquarters Rumah Lembang in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Nov.16. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A.)
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akarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama believes his track record is enough to see him reelected as governor next year despite being named a suspect in a blasphemy case.
The non-active governor is optimistic his suspect status will not dissuade people from voting for him.
“I believe that as long as Jakartans look at our performance, we can still be elected. Just wait and see on Feb. 15,” said Ahok, referring to the polling date next year. He was speaking on the sidelines of an impromptu visit to Pondok Kopi in East Jakarta on Thursday.
Expecting to win the election in one round, Ahok said all Jakartans could see the results of his work in the city, such as a cleaner environment. He said he was sure that residents would consider his hard work to develop the city when they chose their next governor.
On Wednesday, the National Police named Ahok a suspect for alleged blasphemy.
Ahok’s case may be brought to trial in the near future as the police have vowed to settle the case as quickly as possible, as is expected by the thousands of Muslims who staged massive rallies in Jakarta and areas across Indonesia on Nov. 4.
Having maintained his innocence repeatedly, Ahok said he was not worried that his electability would decline after being named a suspect. “I've said before that it is better for me to be punished and go to jail if this country would be better and safer. I have never felt worried about whether all people want to vote for me,” he said. (ebf)
