Predicting The Fate Of Ahok's Political Career

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), former Governor of DKI Jakarta, attends the inauguration of President Jokowi and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin at Nusantara Building, Jakarta (Antara)

JAKARTA - Former Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama aka Ahok seems to be getting flirtatious again in the world of politics. Ahok was found in the middle of 'PDKT' by visiting Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka at the Office House, Loji Gandrung.

However, the meeting was apparently considered not special for some circles. The President Commissioner of PT Pertamina is considered to have no bright future to participate in the election contest given his track record that has been scratched.

"I think Ahok is finished now", said a Political observer from Al-Azhar University Indonesia Andriadi Achmad, Thursday, April 8.

Andriadi said that the status of Ahok who had been imprisoned for blasphemy was a consideration of political parties who wanted to carry or project Puput Nastiti Devi's husband.

"He became the chief commissioner at Pertamina that's all I think is enough. That is, Ahok in the Jakarta regional elections was the last political career", he continued.

Similar to Andriadi, Political communication expert Hendri Satrio said that Ahok's career in national politics will not go smoothly anymore. That's why, he had to diligently conduct meetings with political figures whose names were rising, such as Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming, yesterday.

"If no one helps will die, it's done. He (Ahok, red) can't be alone now building a career like he did when he was governor. Now he's more dependent on people's political careers", Hendri told VOI on Friday, April 9.

According to Hendri Satrio, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama aka Ahok aka BTP can no longer build a single political career with various limitations. Because he is still plagued by political issues of the past.

In fact, said Hendri, President Jokowi is also relatively careful enough to put Ahok in public office. Therefore, the Director of Kedaikopi survey institute saw Ahok's visit to Loji Gandrung was too close to Gibran, as well as a signal that he wanted to regain public office.

"He must be so indeed, must close to political figures because it will be quite difficult. Until now, PDIP has never directly pushed his name back to the political scene even though various survey results appear also although small", he explained.

"So indeed he needs a figure like Gibran who currently has a role in Solo then president, and maybe he needs another figure as well", said Hendri Satrio.

In contrast, political observer Ray Rangkuti, assessed Ahok's career in politics will continue despite having been imprisoned because of stumbling legal cases. He predicted that the former regent of East Belitung will run again in the upcoming 2024 regional elections.

"Absolutely no (political career stopped, red), I think when viewed from the popularity remains in the ranks of the presidential candidate even though only 1-2 percent but still in", Ray told VOI, Friday, April 9.

The Director of Lingkar Madani Indonesia (Lima) assessed Ahok will lose if he does not return 'ferocious' in Indonesian politics. Considering Ahok still has a chance as a PDIP politician to run again as a candidate for a regional head.

"By looking at that fact I think Ahok will lose politically if he does not optimize the charm in politics. Unless he's not interested", Ray explained.

Ahok Can Nominate in DKI, Central Java, or Bali

Many consider Ahok's meeting with Gibran in Loji Gandrung to be a political maneuver for the 2024 elections. Ray himself assessed not closing the possibility that the meeting of Ahok and President Jokowi's eldest son was a signal PDIP menduetkan both as governors in the upcoming Elections 2024.

"I think Ahok in DKI, Gibran Central Java. If it's not. Or PDIP will nominate him as regional head, it may be paired with Gibran in DKI Jakarta or Central Java", he added.

According to Ray, the 2024 regional elections will probably be a golden momentum for Ahok to reclaim the seat of DKI 1. Considering, Anies Baswedan is projected to advance as a presidential candidate.

"If Ahok continues to optimize his popularity, either as a candidate for a regional head in 2024 to come. Because of the assumptions ahead, Anies' rise to presidential candidate, DKI seems vacant. Well Ahok can enter because a few people still accept him in DKI Jakarta or Central Java. There are many options if Ahok is", he said.

He also sees Ahok's status as an ex-convict will not be a step in the world of national politics. Moreover, in the Law, there are no rules related to the ban, and contained in Article 7 paragraph (2) letter g of the Election Law reads more:

"Candidates for Governor and Candidates for Deputy Governors, Candidates for Regents and Candidates for Deputy Regents, as well as Mayoral Candidates and Candidates for Deputy Mayors as referred to in paragraph (1) must meet the following requirements: ... g. (i) never as a convicted person based on a court ruling that has obtained a permanent legal force for committing a crime that is threatened with a prison sentence of 5 (five) years or more, except against a convicted felon who commits a crime of omission and political crimes in the sense of an act that is declared a criminal act in a positive law simply because the culprit has a different political view to the ruling regime; (ii) for the former convicted, has passed a period of 5 (five) years after the formerly convicted finishes serving a prison sentence based on a court ruling that has had a permanent legal force and honestly or openly announces the background of his identity as a former convicted; and (iii) not as a repeat offender".

"There is no problem, in our Law, there is no prohibition. Ex-corrupt people can. So there is still open public acceptance of him is still high", concluded Ray Rangkuti.