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Antasari Azhar attends second Jakarta gubernatorial debate
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A moment of freedom -- Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Antasari Azhar (center) returns home after he was released on parole from Tangerang prison, Banten, in this file photo. (Antara/Lucky R.)
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ntasari Azhar, former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) head and murder convict who was recently granted clemency by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, attended the second Jakarta gubernatorial debate at Bidakara Hotel, South Jakarta, on Friday.
Wearing a brown batik shirt, Antasari arrived at the debate venue with United Development Party (PPP) chairman Djan Faridz.
He was warmly welcomed by incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat's supporters as he entered the Birawa auditorium, the debate venue. He later sat in the VIP section of Ahok-Djarot's supporter group.
Antasari said that he only wanted to watch the debate. "I'm only observing because it’s about bureaucratic reform and public service," he said, referring to the debate’s main themes. Antasari was also reluctant to reveal which candidate he supported.
"I support Jokowi because he granted me clemency," he said jokingly.
(Read also: Jokowi welcomes Antasari to State Palace)
Antasari was freed on Thursday after being locked up for 7.5 years. Declared guilty by the Tangerang District Court in 2009, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison in a high-profile murder case involving a businessman and his alleged love affair with a female caddy.
The clemency granted by President Jokowi commuted the remaining six years of his sentence following the Law and Human Rights Ministry granting him parole after he had two-thirds of his sentence. He also received a total 4.5 years of sentence cuts from the ministry.
