TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, stated that Joko Widodo fits to be a president. He said that Jokowi has the characteristic and the ability to be a leader.
"He provides instructions, 'do this, do that'. Now that's a leader," Basuki said.
During the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) National Meeting, Jokowi's name echoed in the Ecovention hall at Ecopark, Ancol, Jakarta. Participants in the meeting demanded Jokowi to be a presidential candidate in 2014.
In a separate meeting, the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) stated that the party will provide support if PDI-P decides to nominate Joko Widodo as a presidential candidate. According to Gerindra Chairman Suhardi, PDI-P has the right to nominate anyone. "That is Megawati's right, we cannot interfere," Suhardi said on Monday, September 9.
However, Suhardi reminded PDI-P that Jokowi had sworn to lead Jakarta for five years. Should Jokowi breaks his vow to run for president, it is up to the people to judge.
SINGGIH SOARES