TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta deputy governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama refused to respond to the inquiry of the youth and sports ministry's request for a letter of guarantee for the stadium development project on BMW (Clean, Humane and Dignified) park, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta.

"Don't listen to the ministry. They will definitely be replaced by October 20," he said at Penjaringan Park, North Jakarta, earlier today. President Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono (SBY)'s term in office will end on October 20, and so will the Indonesian Cabinet II.

The construction will continue to be carried out despite the remaining land issues, said Ahok. The government has obtained the stadium certificate which will become the venue for 2018 Asian Games. "Keep going, we've had the certificate."

Although the ministry had received the letter of recommendation, they still requested the letter of guarantee from the Jakarta government. "Just hand us an absolute letter of guarantee and we will immediately conduct its administrative process. This is to avoid us from being dragged into any legal issues," said Gatot S. Dewa Broto, the ministry's spokesman. The stadium development with the capacity of 50,000 is susceptible to legal issues.

ERWAN HERMAWAN