The full picture of who would be competing in the 2017 Jakarta Governor’s election did not become clear until late last Friday, the last day that candidates could officially register with the election committee. After the ruling PDI-P party announced on Tuesday that they would be backing current Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in his reelection bid, rival parties were left scrambling to find worthy challengers to the incumbent.
Eventually support coalesced around two figures who were rarely discussed in the run-up to the candidate announcements. The so-called Cikeas Coalition, made up of the Democratic Party, PPP, PKB and PAN, decided to support Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the 38-year-old son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, paired with current Jakarta Deputy Governor for Tourism and Culture Sylviana Murni. Gerindra and PKS went with former education minister Anies Baswedan paired with businessman Sandiaga Uno.
While Ahok has strong poll numbers, a proven track record and the backing of the ruling party, the three-way race could still be a fiercely fought one. There are already virulently anti-Ahok activists who have resorted to attacks on his race and religion to try and bring the governor down. If such attacks are used against Ahok by his rivals, the race could get very ugly indeed.
But here’s a good sign that next year’s election will be fairly fought on the issues by candidates who mutually respect one another – a selfie featuring all six gubernatorial candidates smiling together.
The selfie was taken on Saturday at Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, where each candidate had to undergo a mandatory health check-up as part of the registration process. It was posted to social media by Anies and his campaign. Here’s the selfie again from a different angle.
Of course it’s hard to tell from a single photo what the tone of this election will be like. But we like to think this was more that just a photo-op for the candidates – that they actually do respect their political rivals and will make this election one about ideas, policies and how to make Jakarta a better city for everybody.
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