TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gembong Warsono, a politician from the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), said that his party would not make results of a survey conducted by the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) as bases to endorse Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in the upcoming Jakarta Gubernatorial Election.

Gembong said that PDIP politicians at the Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) had found rejections among their constituents to support Ahok.

The observation result was presented in a plenary session led by party’s campaign team chief Bambang DH.

“As many as 28 councilors agreed that most [voters] will not support the incumbent,” Gembong said in Jakarta onSunday, July 24, 2016.

The findings were contradictory to the SMRC survey results. The survey revealed that the majority of PDIP supporters (81 percent) are still hoping that Ahok will remain a governor.

The survey results showed that Ahok topped four other candidates, namely Surabaya Mayor Tri “Risma” Rismaharini, Crescent Star Party politician Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Sandiaga Uno and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. However, Gembong argued that the SMRC survey results were scientifically-based and could not be compared with the field findings.

Gembong explained that the findings were gathered by PDIP cadres across Jakarta. During the recess, Gembong added, PDIP’s city councilors were assigned to map the 2017 Gubernatorial Election and collecting public responses.

LARISSA HUDA