Ahok Jokingly Responds to Rejection against His Appointment

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State gas and oil company Pertamina held a general shareholders' meeting (RUPS) at State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry today on November 25. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (BTP) or better known as Ahok responded to rejection against his appointment as the firm’s chief commissioner.

Basuki said people rejected the idea because they did not know him well. “They don’t know that I am S3 (doctoral) graduate from Mako Brimbob,” he said jokingly at SOE Ministry, Central Jakarta, Monday, November 25.

The former Jakarta governor served two-year imprisonment in Mako Brimob, Kelapa Dua, as he was found guilty by North Jakarta District Court over blasphemy.

Basuki, who now preferred to be called BTP, is officially assigned as chief commissioner of the state gas and oil firm today. However, he claimed to have not known when he could start to work. “I am only asked to come to receive SK (the decree letter),” he added.

Donning batik shirt and long black pants, Basuki arrived at the ministry at 09:24 a.m. to join the meeting and be inaugurated.

“I surely hope for public support and pray, as well as report, because my job is to supervise. The more people file reports to us, we will surely look into the system,” he remarked.

Previously reported, the Federation of Pertamina United Labor Unions' (FSPPB) president, Arie Gumilar, rejected the idea as Ahok was known as a figure who frequently stirred public controversies. He feared Ahok’s emotional character would affect the firm’s organization, as well as the energy distribution and fuel services to the public.

EKO WAHYUDI | FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA