APSN | 'Take it easy,' says Ahok after boycott threat

Home > South-East Asia >> Indonesia

'Take it easy,' says Ahok after boycott threat

Jakarta Globe - February 20, 2017

Jakarta students' union will not participate in Tuesday's rally – Jakarta Globe. February 20, 2017
Indonesia Islamists urge ouster of Jakarta governor Ahok, plan more protests – Straits Times. February 20, 2017
GNPF-MUI leader claims not to know money-laundering suspect – Jakarta Post. February 17, 2017
Government allies ready to block Ahok inquiry initiative – Jakarta Post. February 15, 2017
Ahok declines to comment on City Council's boycott – Jakarta Post. February 14, 2017

Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has played down a boycott threat from several city councilors over his return to the office.

A faction at the Jakarta Legislative Council, comprising of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), refused to attend meetings with Ahok or his officials, until the governor's legal status is resolved.

They demanded that the governor be suspended from the office as he is currently standing trial on blasphemy charges. "Tell the councilors to just take it easy," Ahok told the reporters at the City Hall on Monday (20/02).

Separately, Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat called on the councilors to accept the Home Ministry's decision not to dismiss Ahok. "You may disagree, but don't sacrifice the people's interest," Djarot said.

A number of lawmakers have called on the House of Representatives to initiate a right of inquiry, or hak angket, to challenge the decision by Minister Tjahjo Kumolo.

The minister has responded by saying that regional leaders facing charges involving less than five years' imprisonment will not be suspended until the sentence becomes legally binding, unless law enforcers put them in custody.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/take-easy-says-ahok-boycott-threat/.