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Ahok asks supporters to pray to keep his 'gutter mouth' at bay
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Candidate pair Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama (second left) and Djarot Saiful Hidayat (second right) pose with musicians Iwa Kusuma (left) and Gading Marten during a campaign event in Jakarta on Nov 28. (Antara/Angga Pratama)
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akarta gubernatorial candidate Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has asked his supporters to pray for him ahead of the first gubernatorial debate, which will be conducted by the city's General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) on Jan. 13.
"I hope that you, ladies and gentlemen, can pray for me so I can control myself in the Jan. 13 debate. Please pray for me so I won't show my mulut comberan (gutter mouth) in the debate," Ahok said at his campaign headquarters, known as "Rumah Lembang", on Jl. Taman Lembang, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Thursday.
Learning from the previous debates conducted by two private television stations, the incumbent candidate said he was aware that his rivals, Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni, were likely to attack his character in the upcoming debate.
"The most important thing is pray for me so I can remain ‘aware’," he said.
KPU Jakarta plans to hold the first official gubernatorial debate at Hotel Bidakara, South Jakarta on Jan. 13.
KPU head Sumarno told The Jakarta Post that issues discussed in the first debate would include social problems, the economy, education, health and transportation in the capital. (jun)
