TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is known for his candid and extroverted personality, has commented to rumors that he had been displaying his traits publicly to polish his image.
“No. Some have also said that this is part of my leadership style, which is wrong either. It’s always nice to be yourself,” he told Tempo in an exclusive interview on Thursday, August 21, 2014.
Ahok, however, said he was more gentler now and that his words were becoming “softer." He added he did not use strong words such as kampret [equal to shucks in English] anymore when chastising anyone.
The deputy governor said he would maintain his character when he became the capital’s governor. “Because when you play a character that is not intrinsically yours, you will wear yourself out,” he said.
TEMPO TEAM