TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok turns 51 today. Happy birthday messages are being sent on social media. On Twitter, the hashtag #HBDAhok51 tops Indonesia trends.

Twitter account @TsamaraDKI says, “Rindu kami padamu tak akan pernah berakhir, Pak @basuki_btp. Bangga, suatu kehormatan bagi saya bisa mengenal Bapak. #HBDAhok51.” (We will always miss you Pak @basuki_btp. I’m proud and honored to have known you). The message was posted with a photo of the account owner and Ahok at the latter’s office room.

Read: Ahok Sent to 2 Years in Prison for Blasphemy

Another account @kangdede78 tweeted: “@basuki_btp raga mu ada di penjara, tapi jiwa & semangat perjuanganmu ada pada kami, semoga panjang umur, sehat selalu.” (@basuki_btp your body is being imprisoned, but your soul & fighting spirit are in us, I wish you long life, good health).

Meanwhile, Raja J. Antoni, former Ahok’s volunteer during Jakarta election tweeted: “Tdk pernah menyesal pernah bagian dari perjuangan bersama Ahok. Jaga kesehatan, Pak! #HBDAhok51...” (I have never regretted being part of the struggle with Ahok. Stay healthy, Pak! #HBDAhok51…).

Read: Ahok says City Hall Looks Like Flower Festival

Ahok was born in Manggar, East Belitung, on June 29, 1966. He married Veronica Tan and has three sons: Nathania Purnama, Nicholas Purnama, dan Daud Albeenner Purnama. Before taking Jakarta governor office, Ahok served as East Belitung Regent. He also served as a house member and became a deputy of then Jakarta governor Joko Widodo in 2012. Ahok was named Jakarta governor for 2014-2017 term after Jokowi took office as the Indonesian president.

Ahok’s bid to become Jakarta governor for the second term failed after being defeated by his competitor Anies Baswedan in Jakarta election.

ARKHELAUS W.