Moses Ompusunggu, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has expressed optimism over his chance to win the upcoming election by securing support from Muslim voters.
Agus said gaining support from Muslim voters was essential in securing the City Hall's top post. He pledged to forge a close relationship with Muslim communities by accelerating development works in the province should he be elected governor on Feb. 15.
"Around 85 percent of Jakarta residents are Muslim. It's logical to think Jakarta will not prosper if its Muslim people live without prosperity," the candidate said.
He was speaking in front of thousands of clerics and members of several Jakarta-based Islamic organizations during a campaign event at Blok S Square in South Jakarta on Thursday.
A poll released by the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) in late January shows that the Agus-Sylviana ticket is backed by 39.6 percent of Muslim respondents, while the favorability level of its competitors, candidate pairs Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat and Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno, stands at 28 percent and 23.4 percent, respectively.
"Should Allah bless me to lead Jakarta, I will pay my fullest attention to Muslim-related activities, such as by allowing a mass prayer to be held at the Monas [National Monument] compound," said Agus, who was accompanied by his running mate, Sylviana Murni.
On Tuesday, Agus visited the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Islam Propagation Institution (LDII), which has a strong basis in subdistricts across the capital. The following day he attended a gathering of thousands of Muslim supporters in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. (ebf)