Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) has decided to choose a political party system to run for governor in the election in February next year instead of a non-party system.

He announced the decision personally at an Eid gathering with members of "Teman Ahok" (Ahoks Friends) at the groups headquarters in Pejaten, South Jakarta, here on Wednesday.

"As I have said I have to appreciate political parties that have given me support. So, well, I decided to run using political party avenue. Thank you," he said to Teman Ahok.

He admitted his decision was taken after seeing a lot of support from a number if political parties for his bid to run for next governor of Jakarta.

"I took the decision after seeing many political parties silently supported me besides, of course, Teman Ahok," he said.

He said Teman Ahok and political parties honored each other shown by their letters of support that stated they would support Ahok fully in the 2017 election whether he would run indepently or using political party vehicle.

"At the time Teman Ahok asked for the letters of support and there I saw they came quickly with the support. I saw the political parties really honored Teman Ahok and vice versa," he said.

He said he believed his decision would not hurt volunteers in Teman Ahok because he has already discussed it with them before.

"We have discussed it before. Besides being ready to become election witnesses Teman Ahok has so far also collected IDs of his supporters to confirm their support. I will make this as a new tradition. This is a test to make our democracy better and we can work together," he said.

As has been known three political parties have expressed support to Ahok so far namely Hanura, Nasdem and Golkar. Together they have a sufficient number of representatives in the Regional Legislative Assembly to meet the requirement for a right to nominate a candidate.(*)

Source: ANTARA