TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nathanael Omposunggu stated that Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok, already knew that President Jokowi would choose MUI Chairman, Maruf Amin, as his vice presidential candidate.

“(Ahok) already (knew their candidacy in the 2019 Presidential Election)," said Nathanael, Ahok’s former staff, to Tempo, Friday, August 10.

But Ahok has yet to deliver any message to Jokowi and his supporters regarding the 2019 Presidential Election. Nathanael said he has not met Ahok yet.

Previously, the former Jakarta Governor gave support to the volunteers of Jokowi to fight for the second presidential term.

Read: Ahok Supports Jokowi Run Second Presidential Term

Ahok wrote his support through a letter spread on social media. The letter dated July 24, 2018, was written and signed by Ahok at the Mako Brimob Detention Center, Kelapa Dua, Depok, who is serving 2 years in prison over blasphemy case.

“Keep fighting for Pak Jokowi to run for the 2nd term. Regards, BTP,” Ahok wrote. The letter was sent to the president’s supporter joined in Galang Kemajuan Jokowi (GKJO)

Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Chairman, Ma'ruf Amin, was one of the expert witnesses that incriminated Ahok in his blasphemy case. MUI also issued a fatwa (edict) on Ahok’s statement about the Quran's Al-Maidah verse 51 in the Seribu Islands.

IRSYAN HASYIM