I believe Bu Mega knows what would be the best course."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - With the election of Jakartas next governor just a few months away, the political atmosphere in the capital city, and even at the national level, is already warming up.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, the incumbent Jakarta governor, has declared his intention to run for the election, scheduled to take place in February next year.

Ahok, who rose to assume governorship of Jakarta in 2014, just after Joko Widodo (Jokowi) left the seat to assume presidency after winning the presidential election that year, has, however, said he would not be a nominee of his party but will secure an independent nomination with the help of "Teman Ahok" (Friends of Ahok), a front that has promised to canvass enough votes for him to be eligible to run.

Seen as highly popular and winnable, Ahoks decision has sparked an uproar with some politicians accusing him of having undermined the role of political parties, though the law does allow independent nomination.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), that had supported Jokowi and Ahok as his running mate during the Jakarta governors election in 2012, has to work hard now to find a candidate.

Having 28 seats, the biggest chunk in Jakartas regional legislative assembly, the PDIP has the right to nominate its own candidate. However, it is still working to forge a coalition with other parties to assure itself of a win. Its secretary general, Hasto Kristanto, has said that it needs many parties to run Jakartas administration.

PDIP official Djarot Saiful Hidayat, who is now Ahoks deputy, said the party was still in the process of selecting a candidate it would nominate to run for the post.

Ahok reaffirmed on Thursday that he would run with the help of an independent nomination by his supporters, grouped in "Teman Ahok" (Ahoks Friends).

"It is impossible for me to leave Teman Ahok as it will certainly disappoint them. (I believe) the target of one million votes will be met," he stated.

He made the statement amid talk of a possibility that he may be nominated by PDIP also later. Ahok said he would refer the rumors to PDIP General Chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, Indonesias former President.

"I dare not talk about it. Let us wait and see what Bu (Madam) Mega would say. I believe Bu Mega knows what would be the best course. She has always said to me so far that I should give my best to Jakarta. That is what I have always considered as my point of reference," he stated here on Thursday.

The Head of Jakartas Regional Assets and Financial Management Office, Heru Budi Hartono, has been chosen by Ahok to be his running mate.

Ahok has pledged to Teman Ahok that he will run independently if they are able to collect one million IDs to back his bid. So far they have been able to collect more than 900,000.

Teman Ahok had initiated the move amid apprehension that Ahok would not be able to run after he had left his former party, Gerindra, following a dispute over the issue of direct election system.

Ahok has been close to Megawati, the general chairperson of PDIP.

So far, Ahok has received support from the Nasional Demokrat Party (Nasdem) and Hanura.

Golkar Party, that has nine seats in the Jakarta regional legislative assembly, has stated that it would support Ahok in the election, thus joining Hanura and Nasdem which had earlier voiced their pledge to support Ahok.

Together, the three parties would have 24 seats, enough to meet the condition of minimum seats required for nominating a candidate. A minimum of 22 seats are required for the purpose.

The general chairman of Golkar Party, which is one of Indonesias biggest and oldest parties, Setya Novanto, said here on Friday he would wait for Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) to change his mind and opt to run through political party nomination.

"I am convinced that in time, he will turn towards political parties. There is still time for him to change his mind. Let us give him time to think," he said at the parliament building.

He said Ahok has certainly thought deeply with regard to his decision to run for the Jakarta governors post in February next year through non-party nomination but there is still time for him to reevaluate his decision.

Golkar Party has decided to consider supporting Ahok in the regional election in view of his success in developing the capital city but it is for the Jakarta party chapter to take a call.

"We will wait for the Jakarta Golkar Party chapters decision about it. What is clear is that we have seen Ahoks successes," Novanto said.

Golkar Party executive board chairman Yorrys Raweyai said earlier that based on the results of discussions among party executives, it has been agreed that Golkar would support Ahok in the election.

He said the party sees him as someone capable of leading the capital city administration. The decision will be officially announced in the next few days.

"We have had a word about it. Golkar would support Ahok to run in the next gubernatorial election," he said at the partys headquarters here on Thursday.

He said the partys decision would immediately be made known to Ahok which would be followed by political communication.

Will Ahok finally change his stance is something only time will tell. Ahok had once said that running through political party nomination would be like riding a Mercedez Benz car but he would be alone there, while running with Teman Ahok will be like riding a public bus with a lot of friends.
(Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Reporter: Yoseph Hariyadi
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2016