TEMPO.CO, Bogor – The planned nomination of lawyer Farhat Abbas as the next deputy regent for Bogor by the Djan Faridz’ camp’s United Development Party (PPP) had triggered responses from college students in the regency.
Farhat, albeit deemed controversial, was likely to become a worthy candidate in the election in light of support from the coalition of parties backing Bogor Regent Nurhayanti.
Ruli Harja, an activist with the Student Movement for Bogor (PMPB), said Farhat’s nomination was somewhat astonishing to Bogor residents.
"Where does Farhat Abbas’ confidence come from?” he told Tempo on Monday, March 30, 2015. “But if he truly cares about Bogor, why not?” he said.
Farhat Abbas—the deputy secretary to Djan Faridz’s PPP central executive board (DPP)—meanwhile, has said he was set to become Bogor deputy mayor and asked Nurhayanti to accept and declare him as a deputy mayor candidate.
Farhat, an-ex husband of actress Nia Daniati, said his nomination had been pronounced at a recent DPP PPP meeting, thus proposals for his nomination from the party's lower branches would be unnecessary.
“The DPP PPP has officially issued the recommendation. I will see Ibu Nurhayanti once she gives the green light,” he said.
Farhat also called on the coalition of parties behind the regent to approve of his nomination. “There is no need for other candidates. One is enough, me,” he said.
Separately, Nurhayanti said she had received the letter of recommendation on Farhat’s nomination, yet she ascertained she would abide by existing regulations.
“I will go according to the mechanism. Meetings with supporting parties and other parties at the Bogor legislative council have been done,” she said.
ARIHTA U. SURBAKTI
