Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)

Nobody does it like Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok.

Loved and loathed for his straight-talking, no-nonsense attitude as Jakarta governor, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician fell from grace when he was convicted of blasphemy, for which he served one year and eight months in prison.

After a divorce and his release from jail in January, many speculated about whether he would return to politics or begin a new life far from his controversial past as governor.

Some doubted his return to politics, considering the country's social conservatism and how Ahok seemed to have broken his bond with its Muslim majority.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo surprised the public with a recent plan to give Ahok a top job at a state-owned enterprise (SOE).

Jokowi and Ahok have had a close relationship since the two men served together as Jakarta governor and deputy governor respectively. Jokowi is said to have offered him the job through SOE Minister Erick Thohir.

Ahok met on Wednesday with Erick and said afterward that he was ready for the possible position. Speculation is rife that Ahok has been nominated to become president commissioner or president director of energy giant Pertamina.

The government does not seem concerned about Ahok’s history as a convict. Erick said on Thursday that he believed Ahok could be the right man and the “breakthrough figure” that the government needed to fix the performance of the SOEs.

Deputy SOE Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said he was sure Ahok would be able to strengthen the state company in need of a performance boost. “Pak Ahok is one of the best leaders in Indonesia. It would be so nice to give him a chance," Budi said.

The Christian politician of Chinese descent was convicted of blaspheming against the Quran in 2017, following a series of sectarian rallies staged by Muslim conservatives in the capital demanding his prosecution for a speech the protesters believed to be blasphemous.

The case played a major role in Ahok’s defeat in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election against Anies Baswedan.

Ahok has married a former police officer and kept a low profile since his release. He said that instead of returning to politics, he would perhaps try his hand in the oil business or become a television talk show host as he believed his political career was over.

He even asked people to call him "BTP" instead of Ahok to start anew after the turbulence in his public and private life.

A month after his release, he decided to rejoin the PDI-P, a party that supported his bid with Jokowi in 2012 and his reelection attempt in 2017. But he did not take a fully active role in this year's legislative and presidential elections.

Some criticized Jokowi for his plan to build a new career for Ahok.

Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Mardani Ali Sera questioned Ahok’s readiness to be a commissioner or director of an SOE, as he was still a member of a political party. “There is a rule. If it is followed, then go for it, but he is still a [party] member. Is that appropriate?" he said.

Government Regulation (PP) No. 45/2005 on the establishment, management, supervision and disbandment of SOEs prohibits only political party managers, candidates and legislative members from serving as commissioners, directors or supervisory board members of an SOE.

SOE Ministry staff member Arya Sinulingga said Ahok had fulfilled most of the requirements to lead an SOE, although he did not mention any details. “He has many qualities [fit for the job],” he said.

Political expert Syamsuddin Haris of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences said it was common for the country's presidents, including Jokowi, to make political appoinments for strategic positions.

He said Ahok was not the worst choice that Jokowi could have made since Ahok had a track record of accountability in running the Jakarta administration before he was convicted of blasphemy.

"Appointing a supporter is not a problem if the main consideration is the person's capability and professionalism," said Syamsuddin.

"This is a second chance for Ahok. He should prove that he is worthy of the trust."

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