TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Interior Ministry will suspend Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama from Jakarta gubernatorial office when his campaign leave ends. Basuki’s current status is inactive governor, which is effective until February 12, 2017. “When the leave period ends, he will be suspended in accordance with the law,” the Interior Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said on Sunday, December 18, 2016.
Ahok has been suspended following his status as the suspect in the alleged blasphemy case, in which he is facing five years jail time. The ministry has sent a letter requesting an explanation on the case to North Jakarta District Court. After the ministry receives the court’s response, within 30 days Tjahjo will propose Ahok’s suspension to the president.
North Jakarta District Court spokesman Hasoloan Sianturi said that the court will soon respond to the Interior Ministry’s letter. “We will examine, act and respond to any request from any institution in accordance with the law,” Hasoloan said.
Directorate General of Regional Autonomy at the Interior Ministry Sumarsono said that suspension will be effective until the judgment of the court of the first instance is rendered. Ahok’s suspension is stipulated in Article 83 paragraph 1 and 2 of Law on Regional Government. During his suspension, Ahok will be replaced by his deputy Djarot Saiful Hidayat.
However, Djarot will have to take another leave on April 2017 if the General Election Commission (KPU) Jakarta chapter decides that Jakarta gubernatorial race will be held in two rounds. In which case, the governor office will be taken by Soni, who is currently serving as acting Jakarta governor. Ahok will retake office if found not guilty before his term ends on October 2017.
According to Soni, the mechanism will apply if the Ahok’s objection is sustained by the court.
Ahok’s gubernatorial candidacy will not be rendered void if the panel of judges found him guilty. KPU Jakarta chairman Sumarno said that Ahok’s candidacy will be rendered void if the judgment of the court of the first instance is already settled before February 2017. Moreover, KPU Jakarta will void Ahok’s candidacy if the judgment of the court of the first instance is rendered before the election.
In such case, Sumarno said that the parties endorsing Ahok-Djarot would have time to name Ahok’s replacement, wherein Djarot, currently running as deputy gubernatorial candidate, will become the gubernatorial candidate. “The parties’ nominee will become deputy gubernatorial candidate,” Sumarno said.
Another possibility is for Ahok to be found guilty before his term ends and he wins the 2017 election. Sumarno said that Ahok will still be sworn into office but will be immediately suspended on the first day. Djarot will replace Ahok as governor.
Ahok said he did not want to think about possible suspension. “No comment. There should be no ifs and buts because the court’s decision has not been made yet,” he said.
LINDA HAIRANI | FRISKI RIANA
