TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) denied rumors that Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama's recent appearances in the public were an attempt to polish his public image.

PDIP also shrugged off allegations that Basuki's appearances were aimed at making a jest of Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

“Pak BTP [Basuki’s acronym] is now an ordinary Jakarta citizen and not partaking in any political contestation,” said PDIP politician Charles Honoris in a telephone interview with Tempo on Monday, July 8.

Charles maintained that Ahok had equal rights to any other Jakarta resident to voice his opinion on matters related to the city, especially considering that he had experience in managing the city.

Read: Ahok Rides MRT Jakarta for the First Time

Earlier, Ahok made strong remarks against the issuance of the building permits (IMB) for the capital’s reclaimed islets. He also went as far as saying Anies had a way with words. His next public appearances were when he went aboard the MRT and to the Lapangan Banteng area in Central Jakarta right afterwards.

Ahok’s constructive criticism and public appearances were seen by Democrat Party’s legal division head Ferdinand Hutahaean as an attempt to make fun of the current governor. “It’s about political ethics. Be patient and let the [current] governor work,” said Ferdinand on Sunday, July 7^th.

DEWI NURITA