Ahok's Staff Divided from the Jakarta Reclamation Corruption Case
Translator
Editor
17 February 2020 12:07 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, stated that his staff split into two camps after the Jakarta Bay reclamation bribery case and a Tempo Magazine report regarding the alleged flow of funds to Teman Ahok in June 2016. Ahok claimed that one camp was on his side, while the other camp was on the side of Ahok's former confidante, Sunny Tanuwidjaja.
“(The staff) was torn, they’re like enemies," Ahok told the Tempo Magazine team, on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
Those who were on Sunny Tanuwidjaja's camp were Michael Sianipar, Rian Ernest, and Idris Ahmad. The three of them joined the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) founded by Sunny. Sunny now serves as Chief of the Board of Trustees for PSI.
On the other hand, a staff member who stayed with Ahok was Sakti Budiono. While Ima Mahdiah followed Ahok to join the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).
The Tempo Magazine report revealed the flow of funds from the reclamation developer to Teman Ahok. Teman Ahok is an organization that Sunny designed with Cyrus Network. Teman Ahok was formed to support Ahok going forward as an independent candidate in the 2017 Jakarta governor election.
One of Tempo Magazine's findings was the purchase of a Toyota Avanza by Cyrus for Ahok's former staff member, Michael Sianipar. Michael now serves as Chief of the Jakarta Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). Ahok was shocked after reading the Tempo Magazine report.
Ahok then called Michael for clarification. Michael explained, the purchase of the car came from borrowed money. "Wanting to borrow money, should be within my knowledge," Ahok said in a high voice.
Their relationship then went cold. Michael once tried to visit his former boss while he was languishing in Mako Brimob Depok. However, Ahok refused to welcome Michael, who then left a letter.
Ahok's plan to move forward independently through the Teman Ahok movement was a mess. He chose to advance to the 2017 Jakarta governor election through the aid of political parties, as opposed to being an independent candidate, with three political parties, namely NasDem, Hanura, and Golkar, officially supporting him. According to him, all three parties supported him without conditions.
LANI DIANA WIJAYA | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)
