TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Singgih Widyastomo, founder of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama supporter group 'Teman Ahok' (Friends of Ahok), said that Ahok would decide whether to run as an independent candidate or through a political party in the upcoming 2017 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election after the Lebaran holiday.

"We're expecting Ahok to provide the answer after the Lebaran holiday at the latest," Singgih told Tempo at Teman Ahok office in South Jakarta on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

Singgih added that the decision is up to Ahok, but Teman Ahok would strive to ensure that Ahok would run as an independent candidate.

"Our support is for a good candidate with no support from political parties. That's why we are volunteering [for Ahok]," Singgih explained.

Singgih asserted that Teman Ahok would continue to support Ahok regardless the decision. To this date, Singgih said that Teman Ahok still prefers Heru Budihartono as Ahok's running mate. However, Singgih clarified that even if Ahok decided to run through a political party and picked a different running mate, Teman Ahok would continue to support him.

Earlier on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, Teman Ahok conducted a verification of identity cards collected by volunteers as a requirement for Ahok to run as an independent candidate. Singgih claimed that the verification reflected Teman Ahok’s commitment to supporting Ahok as an independent candidate.

EGI ADYATAMA