TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said he had asked Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo not to resign from his post despite the latter’s running for presidency.
“I asked him not to resign. It’s okay if he takes a leave,” he said at the City Hall on Monday, April 21, 2014.
Ahok said he had his own reason as to why he advised his boss to keep his seat as governor. “So I have someone to have discussions with,” he said.
He said another reason was because many people had already voiced their objection to his possible appointment as the Jakarta governor replacing Jokowi—if the governor was elected president in the country’s presidential race slated for July.
“There are many people who don’t want me to become governor, right?” he said.
Commenting on the rumors that he was listed as one of the candidates to become Jokowi’s running mate, Ahok said he was not interested in the vice presidential position. “One thing for sure, I prefer to be in Jakarta. That’s it,” he said.
ERWAN HERMAWAN