Denies Upset Ridwan Kamil Invited To Meet, Ahok: No Need To Break The Nation

Pramono Anung-Rano Karno with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok)/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Former DKI Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) denied that he responded annoyedly to the invitation to meet with the prospective Jakarta Governor Ridwan Kamil (RK). Ahok admitted that he was willing if RK wanted to meet him.

"I'm okay, really. If Mr. Ridwan wants to meet me, okay. Just adjust the time," Ahok said when met at Simpang Semanggi, Central Jakarta, Thursday, September 19.

However, the chairman of the PDIP Central Executive Board (DPP) feels that he has not been contacted by RK to schedule a meeting until now.

"I am confused, I asked many questions, Mr. Ridwan has WA (WhatsApp? I do. I also have his WA, but he didn't enter, his WA, maybe it was a river market test, yes," he added.

However, Ahok emphasized that it would be open if RK and the prospective Deputy Governor Suswono wanted to stay in touch and asked to share experiences in managing Jakarta.

Most importantly, Ahok advised RK not to participate in the 2024 Pilkada contestation by selling the vision and mission and ideas in building Jakarta, not dividing.

"I think if I want to tell him, yes, compete with the program, yes. Both have track records, Mr. Pram has, everyone has, so don't need something that divides the nation or what," said Ahok.

Moreover, both RK-Suswono, as well as the prospective candidate pair promoted by PDIP, Pramono Anung-Rano Karno, both have the task of facing problems such as the economic crisis if they are later elected as Governor-Deputy Governor of Jakarta.

"Actually, whoever wants to be governor, the responsibility is enormous, to deal with the global economic situation. Pak Ridwan and I are okay, friends. We often met in the past," he explained.

Previously, the candidate for governor of Jakarta Ridwan Kamil admitted that he had sent messages to a number of former governors of DKI Jakarta, including Basuki Tjahja Purnama alias Ahok and Anies Baswedan. He intends to stay in touch.

"I convey a message to all former governors, we want to stay in touch. That's the same message," said Ridwan Kamil in the Tanah Abang area, Jakarta, Sunday, September 15.

He admitted that his message had been responded to by former governors, including Ahok. But he admitted, Ahok responded annoyedly about his invitation to meet.

Even so, Ridwan Kamil did not worry about it. Because the goal of friendship is not to seek support from the previous Jakarta leader.

"I also heard Mr. Ahok respond even though he was upset. Yes, it doesn't matter, the goal is not asking for support," he continued.