Deputy Jakarta Governor Sandiaga Uno has appointed to his special staff former North Jakarta mayor Rustam Effendi, who resigned from his position in 2016 after being scolded by then-governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjaha Purnama over the city’s eviction policies.

Sandiaga said the former mayor would be in charge of handling residents’ complaints at City Hall.

“Starting today, Pak Rustam will accompany me as a special staff member to handle residents’ many complaints,” Sandiaga told journalists on Monday. “As a well experienced person, I believe he can accelerate solving people’s problems.”

Rustam submitted his resignation letter in 2016, several days after Ahok had slammed him over his alleged negligence in mitigating floods in North Jakarta, as well as for not carrying out an eviction program in the Pasar Ikan area as planned by the city administration.

The outspoken Ahok even accused Rustam of conspiring with the former legal and human rights minister and potential candidate for governor at the time, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, to block city programs.

Apparently, Rustam felt pained by the accusation and wrote on his personal Facebook account that he needed Ahok to give him clearer directions (to lead the municipality) instead of falsely accusing him. (vny)