JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has sworn in Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama as new Governor of Jakarta on Wednesday (Nov. 19) at the State Palace.
Ahok finally took the oath of office as new Jakarta Governor amid rejection from the opposition group of the Red-and-White coalition at the Jakarta House of Regional Representatives (DPRD). Similar rejection over Ahok’s inauguration is also expressed by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) along with other hardline Islamic groups.
Ahok, a Christian Chinese descent, made a history as the first Chinese Governor of the capital city of Jakarta.
The inauguration ceremony was held at around 2:00 PM of Jakarta time. Attending the ceremony were Speaker of the DPRD Jakarta Prasetyo Edi Marsudi and Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Oesman Sapta Odang.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the Red-and-White opposition, including three deputies of DPRD Jakarta’s Speakership, didn’t attend the ceremony. They are Triwisaksana of PKS, Ferriyal Sofyan of Democratic Party, and M Taufik of Gerindra. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)