Ahok Akses Jokowi not to Resign as Governor

Jakarta (Antara)- Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) has asked Joko "Jokowi" Widodo not to resign as Jakarta Governor after having been nominated as presidential candidate for Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). "I have told him not to resign as Jakarta Governor during the period of legislative election campaigns, but there has been no response from him," Basuki remarked at the Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday. He noted that although Jokowi did not resign as Jakarta Governor, it would not affect his space motion in conducting the election campaigns this year. "In my opinion, Jokowi does not need to resign now, for it is better for him to wait until he is really elected and appointed as the president of Indonesia," Basuki explained. Further to that, he pointed out that although Jokowi has started the campaigns, he remained active in carrying out his tasks as the Governor of Jakarta. "He continues to monitor all tasks related to the Regional Government Working Unit (SKPD) and participates in the 2014 Revised Regional Government Budget (APBD-P) discussions," Basuki elaborated. He assured that Jokowi's nomination, as presidential candidate, will not affect his performance in the development of Jakarta. "I think Jokowi is able to distinguish the affairs of Jakarta with that of the election campaign, and therefore he does not need to resign as the Governor of Jakarta," Basuki reiterated. (*)