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PKS, Gerindra work on coalition with Agus camp
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To a second round: Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pair Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno hold a press conference at the Gerindra Party headquarters in Jakarta on Feb.15. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election is expected to be a fierce battle between two candidates, Anies Baswedan and Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, with the former appearing to have established communication with Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, who has admitted defeat in the first round of the election.
Anies said his conversation with Agus and political parties supporting the latter’s candidacy was initiated by the Gerindra Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), two parties backing the former education and culture minister in his election bid.
“Communication with his [Agus] team was initiated by political parties that support me. Meanwhile, I will focus on campaigning,” Anies said during a press conference on Thursday.
(Read also: Anies’ camp: Exit polls show Jakartans want change in leadership)
A Kompas quick count shows Ahok leading the gubernatorial race with 42.87 percent of the vote while Anies ranks second with 39.76 percent, leaving Agus with just 17.37 percent.
Other quick counts show similar results, with Ahok in top position and Anies second.
In what will likely be a head-to-head race, the two candidates fighting to win the second round are now eyeing those who voted for Agus.
Deputy governor hopeful Sandiaga Uno took the opportunity in the press conference to praise Agus’ move to call Anies to congratulate them, saying it was a good precedent for the future of Indonesian democracy.
“Thanks Mas Agus for your phone call and I hope this good communication can be maintained for a better future of Jakarta,” Sandiaga said. (ebf)
