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I've heard some sub-district heads aren't neutral: Sumarsono
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Acting Jakarta Governor Sumarsono (left) observes thousands of Muslims praying from the Jakarta Smart City center at City Hall, recently. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
J
akarta acting governor Sumarsono said he had received reports suggesting that some sub-district heads in the capital expressed support to certain candidates ahead of the Feb. 15 gubernatorial election.
“[Civil servants’] neutrality is key to the success of democracy in Jakarta, but I’ve heard that some sub-district heads are helping to support certain candidates. I discovered this via WhatsApp,” Sumarsono said at the East Jakarta mayor’s office on Friday, as quoted by kompas.com.
Soni, however, said that he had not received proof of the accusations.
“These heads may be dismissed but not yet because there is no proof yet,” he said.
(Read also: System in place to prevent voters using fake e-KTPs: KPU)
Soni has served as acting governor because incumbent Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and his deputy Djarot Saiful Hidayat are on leave for campaigning.
Soni’s service at the city administration is scheduled to end when the campaign period ends on Feb. 11.
However, Ahok is likely to be suspended because he is on trial in a blasphemy case, leaving Djarot to temporarily take over the governor’s position upon Sumarsono’s departure.
Soni said he had planned to meet all district and sub-district heads, as well as community unit and neighborhood unit heads, before Feb. 11. (bbs)
