TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The position of Jakarta deputy governor was vacant for the past three months post the resignation of Sandiaga Uno. Governor Anies Baswedan said the vacant position affected the agenda of the central government since it required the presence of the regional head.

For example, Anies Baswedan explained, the cabinet meeting or meeting in the ministerial office which could not be represented by the regional secretary and the meeting was frequently held at the same time.

“The real impact [of vacant position of deputy governor] is on the representation,” said Anies Baswedan in Jakarta, Monday, November 5.

Sandiaga Uno resigned from his position in early August 2018 to accompany Prabowo Subianto as vice presidential hopeful in the 2019 election as carried out by Gerindra party and PKS.

Anies said he divided administration works with Regional Secretary Saefullah during the vacant position of deputy governor as well as with deputies of the governor and regional secretary assistants. “It does not beset the substance of the administration,” he added.

Anies Baswedan had sent letters to both parties in the mid-October to immediately submit candidate names to replace Sandiaga Uno. “We have followed the administration procedure.”

Since Sandiaga Uno resigned, Anies Baswedan had issued several policies. At the end of September 2018, he revoked 13 reclamation permits in Jakarta Bay and in early October, he launched the zero down payment house program as to actualize his campaign promise.

LINDA HAIRANI | GANGSAR PARIKESIT