Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo and Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has shrugged off claims that Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had been unfocused in executing his duties as the capital’s helmsman since his nomination as a presidential contender on the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)’s ticket.
“Who says he has been unfocused? He just briefed me this morning to make sure on the one-roof service system and other programs,” Ahok said at the City Hall on Monday, April 21, 2014.
Ahok also said the governor did not mention anything on the possibility of his becoming Jokowi’s running mate as a vice presidential candidate. “So we are still focused. We did not talk about vice presidential issues or anything [related to the it],” he said.
He added the communication between him and the governor had been well-preserved, including when Ahok was ill recently. “Nothing was missed so far,” he said.
Ahok said he had also advised his boss not to resign from his post as a governor during the presidential campaign period and took a leave instead.
