Democratic Party to Gather all Elements for Fauzi Victory: Anas

Blitar, E Java - General chairman of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) Anas Urbaningrum has instructed the party's cadres to gather all elements ranging from political parties, community and vote abstainers in the face of the second round of Jakarta gubernatorial election. "We are trying to approach all elements, embracing and convincing them to support Fauzi Bowo-Nachrowi Ramli pair," Anas said when asked during the post-fasting festivity (Idul Fitri) gathering at his mother's house at Ngaglik village, Blitar district, East Java province, Wednesday. Anas expressed his happiness over the increasing supports to Fauzi Bowo-Nachrowi Ramli pair. Jakarta will elect new governor for the next five-year term with incumbent Fauzi Bowo (Foke) facing popular contender Joko Widodo (Jokowi), now mayor of Central Java city of Solo on September 20. In the gubernatorial runoff polls (Sept 20), Anas does not worry if many voters will also cast votes to other contender despite the formal supports from many party leaders and community to Fauzi Bowo-Nachrowi Ramli pair. "Of course voters have rights to decide. To that end, we embrace them and convince them for the better future of Jakarta," Anas said. Apart from the ruling Democratic Party, other major political parties, Golkar, the Islam-based United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have announced their formal supports for the Fauzi Bowo-Nachrowi Ramli pair. Six pairs, namely Fauzi Bowo- Nachrowi Ramli, Hendardji Soepandji-Ahmad Riza Patria, Joko Widodo-Basuki Tjahja Purnama, Hidayat Nur Wahid- Didik J Rachbini, Faisal Basrie-Biem Benjamin and Alex Nurdin-Nono Sumpono took part in the first round of Jakarta gubernatorial election on July 11. In the meantime, during the Idul Fitri gathering on Sunday (Aug 19), six religious leaders came to the official residence of Jakarta governor Fauzi Bowo on Jalan Suropati, Central Jakarta. The religious leaders who came to greet governor Fauzi Bowo `Happy Eid` were KH Ibrahim Karim and Muhidin Iskak representing Islam, Bishop Ignatius Suharyo Catholics, Bhiku Lim Budhists, Panindita Gede Jama Hindus, Jacob Nohuwae Protestants and Onga Wijaya Confucians.(*)