TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan congratulated Ahmad Riza Patria on the latter's being elected as deputy governor during a plenary meeting of the city’s Legislative Council (DPRD) on Monday, April 6. Anies, donning a black face mask, was present in the selection process.

“Congratulations [to Ahmad Riza] and inshallah we can work well together,” said Anies at the City Hall, Monday, April 6, hoping he could join hands with the Gerindra politician for the remaining term of office, which will end in 2022.

The former minister of education and culture also asked for the immediate completion of process for Ahmad Riza to be installed as his deputy so the latter could begin working for the Jakarta administration.

“Based on the Government Regulation (PP) No. 12 of 2018, the next process is submitting the proposal to the President through the Home Affairs Ministry and then the inauguration,” Anies Baswedan said.

Riza seized 81 out of 100 votes in the election of Jakarta deputy governor, a landslide victory over Nurmansjah Lubis, who secured 17 votes and was backed by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). The other two votes were declared invalid.

Ahmad Riza Patria, who was a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V, filled the vacant position after Sandiaga Uno stepped down in August 2018 to run in the 2019 presidential election. In 2012, he vied in the Jakarta gubernatorial election as a deputy candidate for Hendardji Soepandji.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ