Jakarta Deputy Says Ready to Become New Governor

Jakarta (Antara) - Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Thaja Purnama said he is ready to replace the current Jakarta governor, Joko Widodo, who was declared the winner of the 2014 Indonesian Presidential election. "Yes I'm ready, I was always ready to be the Governor of Jakarta," said Basuki in city hall here Friday. Earlier on Thursday, August 21, the Indonesian Constitutional Court announced their ruling on the 2014 Indonesian Presidential election dispute, resulting in a victory for Joko WIdodo as Indonesian President-elect, following a long election campaign against former Indonesian military figure Prabowow Subianto. Basuki said that every party must accept the Constitutional Court's ruling, including the political party that supported Prabowo, the Gerindra Party. "Every party, including the Gerindra Party which supports Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rasaja, must adhere to the constitution as stated by the Constitutional Court," Basuki added. Basuki, who is also a member of the Gerinda Party, said he is not disappointed with the court's decision that rejected all legal claims submitted by the party's chairman. "I'm not disappointed and have no dilemma whatsoever. Instead, I think that the Gerindra Party should be proud to have a Jakarta Governor," said Basuki. Basuki added that he has not yet spoken with the Gerindra Party's chairman, Prabowo Subianto, after the Constitutional Court decision was announced. "No, not yet, I never had direct contact with him (Prabowo)," said Basuki. Earlier, Prabowo Subianto's party filed a peition against the presidential election results with the MK, alleging massive election fraud during the 2014 presidential election. (*)