TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Teary Veronica reads Ahok letter on reasons for appeal withdrawal
Change Size
Veronica Tan, the wife of non-active Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, flanked by team of lawyers, shows a hand-written letter by Ahok addressing to his supporters, during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday. (JP/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
T
he wife of non-active Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, Veronica Tan, has read out a letter hand-written by her husband behind bars that explains why he has withdrawn his appeal against a court verdict in which he was sentenced to two years in prison.
Ahok’s lawyers officially withdrew the appeal on Monday.
Citing Ahok's statement, in tears and a shaky voice, Veronica said that Ahok had learned to forgive and had accepted the sentence for the sake of the nation.
Ahok also encouraged his supporters to do the same.
Since Ahok was sentenced on May 9, his supporters have held a series of rallies to urge that Ahok’s detention be suspended.
His supporters in Jakarta and other regions have also held candlelight vigils to show support for Ahok.
"Jakartans would otherwise suffer great losses, in the form of traffic congestion and economic losses resulting from the rallies," Veronica said in a press conference on Tuesday. "It's not right to hold rallies for the process that I should face," she said, reading Ahok’s letter.
(Read also: Ahok withdraws appeal)
Ahok said further that he was worried that rallies held by his supporters could be infiltrated by parties with ill-intent.
He went on to say that his supporters should have faith that God was in control and they also had to love each other.
"Gusti ora sare (God doesn't sleep). Put your faith in the Lord, now and always. In my faith I say that Lord will work out his plan for my life," Ahok said. (dmr)
