TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - I Wayan Sudirta, lawyer of inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, confirmed that his client has sent his resignation letter to the Home Affairs Ministry and President Joko Widodo or Jokowi. Sudirta revealed that the decision was taken based on two reasons.
“First, he doesn’t want to be a burden for President Jokowi’s administration,” Sudirta told Tempo today, May 24.
Sudirta added that Ahok showed his firm stance through the resignation. “He doesn’t want to be a governor anymore,” he said, adding that people who oppose him should not be concerned with his return to the City Hall.
Sudirta admitted that he heard about the resignation from Ahok’s relative who was always present in every trial. However, he could not confirm when the inactive Jakarta Governor will sign the resignation letter since he has not met Ahok in person.
Earlier on May 9, 2017, the North Jakarta District Court handed down a two-year prison sentence for being guilty of committing blasphemy. Ahok later filed an appeal against the ruling and submitted an appeal brief on May 22, 2017. However, Ahok, through his wife Veronica Tan, immediately withdrew the appeal.
According to Veronica, Ahok withdrew the appeal to conclude the legal process of his case and to prevent conflicts among the public.
VINDRY FLORENTIN | FRISKI RIANA
