Ahok says he’d rather just not campaign than be forced to stop working while campaigning

Although it is not yet clear whether or not he will be running as an independent or as the candidate of a political party, Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama is already having to think about how he will balance working with running his re-election campaign for the 2017 governor’s race. That’s because election laws dictates that incumbent candidates for top elected positions are not allowed to work during the official campaigning period (which will take place from October 26, 2016 until February 11, 2017).

However Ahok said he is worried (and rightly so) that major mistakes will be made in regards to important governmental projects and next year’s Jakarta budget if he is forced to take all of those months off of work.

“That’s why I do not know (whether I will stop working or not). I think that’s also an option that really concerns people,” Ahok said on Tuesday as quoted by Tempo.

The rule preventing elected officials from working while campaigning was put in place to prevent incumbents from using their official powers and access to governmental resources for the benefit of their campaigns. 

Ahok said if that was the case he’d rather not campaign at all.

“So what if a person doesn’t want to campaign? Is it allowed or not?” Ahok asked.

In fact, Article 70 of Law No. 8 of the 2015 Local Election Bill states that can apply for permission to not campaign so that they can keep working. 

Given that exception, we think it is likely that Ahok will take it and simply not campaign for himself. It simply isn’t his style – the governor has always preferred that his hard work speak for itself (probably so he can save his voice for yelling at idiots).



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