Whatever Jakartans deserve, let it be

Today is as very emotional day for me. Jakarta got a new governor, and it isn’t the one I voted for.

Honestly, I’ve predicted this since the beginning of second round. No doubt, AHY-Sylvi’s voters will mostly go to the 3rd candidate. They basically share the same vision: religion and primordiality over everything.

Well, I acknowledge that some voters were wooed by its promise to stop reclamation, eviction, and other sweet talks.

Up until now, I didn’t know what kind of concrete solution they have to replace all the above. But probably that’s because I only heard its programs through public debate. When I tried to research from social media, all I found were continuation of Ahok-Djarot’s programs or… empty promises.

For example, the Rp 0 or 0% downpayment housing program (it can’t even agree on one concept). One said the program will be for horizontal housing; while one other said it’s for vertical.

The freshly-elected governor is nothing but a talking machine. Type that most Indonesian love (see: Mario Teguh). But what makes me angrier is the fact that it specially visit far-right religious group and embraces their view.

If, and only if, it said things like ‘I don’t agree with your view but we can work together for better future.’ I might be eased a bit. But no. IT glorified them.

Not to mention that it’s backed by a human right criminal, who merely uses it for the sake of presidential election 2019 (you could hear it’s so-called supporters were more eager to cheer on ‘the veteran’s plan to run on presidential election’’ than it being a governor (trust me, I once attended their rally).

He is a definition of tough.

I seriously has never found anyone as tough as him. During his leading period in Jakarta, even since the start of his reign, he has faced a lot of protest from people for not being Muslim, so he is not suited to be a leader. How ridiculous is that? They also said they hated how he leads since Ahok is a very direct person and sometimes his words “sting” to some people. A lot of demonstration happened, for example when he tries to relocate some housing, etc. even up to his 2nd time going for the next election for governor of Jakarta. He was even accused for blasphemy for Muslims, when he didn’t say anything towards doing blasphemy. People always try to find his flaw not to make him a suited governor. He is clean! Well even in real life, sometimes we hate that one friend that is so flawless we can not put any dirt on them, don’t we?

He has done so much for Jakarta. I don’t think anyone is not thankful for what he did for these 2 years. From cleanliness of rivers that has been concern forever in Jakarta, neutralization of Kalijodo, empowering the less fortunate and youngsters, up to the MRT project that’s in continuation. He doesn’t have anything to lose for losing the Governor Election.

Actually, the reason why I wrote this was because I just watched the news that he’s not winning for the next election. He’s a big person and I believe he will be successful in whatever he does. He wanted to go for governor election because he wants to “finish” what he has done for the past 2 years. He wants to serve. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to offense the other candidate, Anies Baswedan (former Minister of Education, not for full period due to cabinet reshuffle by President Joko Widodo). But clearly in the election debate, all he did was trying to judge to make Ahok look bad in public. I don’t see his passion, his realistic plan as how to make Jakarta better, while Ahok keeps focusing on what he would do for Jakarta in realistic manner. I saw a man that only was greedy for power.

What makes me more upset about this election is the fact that a lot of people were surveyed and most of the people who chose Anies to be a governor was because they share the same religion and because he’s educated (well of course a former Minister of Education is!) and has a lot of knowledge. Again, RELIGION! Seriously? This is 2017! While the reason to choose Ahok was because of his real work, experience, and for being honest and clean. I’m in serious concern of how Indonesian is so biased in terms of religion and ethnics. Then also concerning about how Indonesian mentality is so corrupt that they try to pluck out the innocent so they can still do their dirty act. It’s like there’s no answer to politics. This proves why I hate politics, and Ahok shows what to hate about politics very clearly. Ahok just made me hate politics even more!

Deep in my heart, I wished for Ahok’s victory. There are some of his actions that I don’t agree with -but at least he’s trying to fix everything. I support his plan to turn Jakarta’s infrastructure like Singapore’s. But well.

Honestly I wanted to stop writing about Jakarta. I once interviewed the elected governor about a topic and its answer was so fucking normative I’d rather write poem in my article than quoting it.

But hey, I still have time until October, which will be the last month for Ahok to work as Jakarta’s governor.

But seriously, whatever happens, I hope all the best for Jakarta whoever will lead it. Congratulations for Mr. Anies Baswedan, Jakarta’s next Governor. I hope you have the heart to serve as a leader and be able to continue what has been done well by Mr. Ahok and hopefully even better.

I wish it will make Jakarta as good as, or even better than when Ahok serves. But if not: Jakarta, you got a leader you deserve! Good luck.