Jakarta – Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto says his party has not officially voiced support for Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama as a candidate in the 2017 gubernatorial election, but has promised to make a decision on the matter as soon as possible.

"Hopefully, the decision will be made before the Idul Fitri celebration [on July 6]," Setya said as reported by tribbunnews.com on Monday.

The decision to support Ahok will be made by Golkar's Jakarta chapter under the leadership of Fayakhun Andriardi at a plenary meeting, Setya said, adding that if the Jakarta chapter recommended supporting Ahok, it would be further discussed by the Golkar executive board. "I will soon organize a meeting. Hopefully within the next two or three weeks," he said.

Meanwhile, Fayakhun said the party's Jakarta regional meeting on Sunday, which elected him as a chairman, had also resulted in a recommendation to nominate Ahok, which had been submitted to the Golkar executive board.

Commenting on a statement made by Golkar supervisory council chairman Aburizal Bakrie that the decision to nominate a Jakarta gubernatorial candidate should be agreed upon by the council, Setya said it was the right of the Golkar executive board to reach a decision.

"We respect the supervisory council. We respect Pak ARB [Aburizal] and appreciate his opinion. But I believe he will support the decision that is made by the executive board," he added.

Aburizal reportedly wants to nominate former law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra as the Jakarta gubernatorial candidate, while Setya has frequently praised Ahok for successfully governing the city.

Setya said he was still waiting for a decision from Ahok as to whether he would continue on his independent path or run with a political party nomination. "We will monitor the progress. I believe Pak Ahok will find a smart way out," he added. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/21/support-for-ahok-not-yet-official-golkar-chairman.html