TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPD) has officiated Ahmad Riza Patria as the Deputy Governor of Jakarta. Ahmad Riza, hailing from the Gerindra Party, will assume office, aiding Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan until the remainder of the term of office, which will end in 2022.

In the electoral process, held by the Regional House of Representatives behind closed doors on Monday, April 6, Ahmad Riza won with a total of 81 votes from house members.

In the plenary session attended by 106 house members, the number of votes totalled to 100. Ahmad Riza has been elected majority compared to cadre of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Nurmansjah Lubis, who received 17 votes with two votes later declared invalied.

Previously, a plenary session held by the Jakarta House of Representatives was heavily criticized due to Jakarta currently under a COVID-19 emergency response period. In spite of this, the House decided to continue with their plenary meeting, with added measures in accordance with the physical distancing protocol.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Election Committee (Panlih) member, Andyka, believed that the Jakarta House of Representative had a strong reason for deciding to continue with the election process. According to Andyka, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan needs to be assisted in handing the COVID-19 outbreak in Jakarta.

“In the midst of this situation (pandemic), there have been regents and mayors who passed away. We don't want to think negatively, but the governor is already tired of doing everything himself," explained Andyka.

Ahmad Riza Patria will be assuming the position vacated by Sandiaga Uno for more than a year. Sandiaga stepped down from the Deputy Governor position in August 2018, to run in the 2019 Presidential Election, as Prabowo Subianto's vice president candidate.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)