TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - One thousand bouquets of flowers filled the front yard of the Jakarta City Hall, expressions of affection for the defeated incumbent Governor Ahok and his running mate Djarot. Crowds of supporters greeted Ahok when he arrived early in the morning on Wednesday, to resume his work after taking leave to campaign in the recent election. He still has six months in office before relinquishing his job to Governor-elect Anies Baswedan. The mood was far from somber as throngs gathered at City Hall since early morning to get a glimpse of the governor and to demonstrate their continued backing of him. His failure to be re-elected is being seen in a positive light and as a precedent for future governors. “He set the standard high for anyone who will be filling his shoes,” said a loyal Ahok supporter, Amelia Saputri in social media.
YULI ISMARTONO
