Ahok And PSI Who Are Not Too 'close'

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) at the launch of the book Call Me BTP (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The launch of the book Call Me BTP written by Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) reveals the fact that Ahok actually feels uncomfortable being associated with people close to the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).

This was revealed by former Deputy Governor of DKI Djarot Syiful Hidayat, who is also a close relative of Ahok. During the 2019 Election season, when Ahok was still serving a detention at the Mobile Brigade Police Station, Djarot often visited Ahok and he got the story.

At that time, there was an assumption that Ahok was labeled close to PSI. PSI Chairman Grace Natalie, on several occasions, said that her party was inspired by Ahok's character who was firm, independent, and prioritized transparency.

Hearing the news, Ahok expressed his frustration with Djarot. The former governor of DKI Jakarta apparently did not want to be considered as having a 'special' relationship with PSI.

"Ahead of the election, ahead of politics he (Ahok) does not want his name to be considered or endorsed to raise it, sorry, PSI," said Djarot at Tempo Building, Palmerah, South Jakarta.

Djarot's remarks were then greeted with laughter from the invited guests who were present at the location.

Former Deputy Governor of DKI Djarot Syiful Hidayat (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

In response, Ahok considered the sentiment reasonable. This is because some of the PSI cadres are former staff of Ahok, including Sunny Tanuwidjaja, Michael Sianipar, Rian Ernest, and Idris Ahmad.

Until finally, Ahok got out of prison and re-entered as a party cadre. Ahok prefers to become a PDIP cadre than PSI. Ahok admitted that he did not feel a dilemma when choosing his political path.

"There is no PDIP or PSI dilemma. I think, in a country that is so tense, in a divided state we must have a large nationalist party. I dream that PDIP can be above 33 percent to be strong in parliament," said Ahok.

To strengthen his conviction, Ahok continued by flicking the parties that were only included in the 2019 General Election contest. "New parties can talk big. Entering the palace is not necessarily tested," concluded Ahok.