Jakarta City Council to name Ahok governor

November 15, 2014
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JAKARTA, Indonesia – Despite a boycott by a majority of council members, Jakarta City Council speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) announced Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama as Jakarta governor in a plenary session Friday (November 14th), local media reported.

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    Prasetyo said Thursday it was necessary to appoint Ahok immediately and that the inauguration would be conducted by the home minister. The inauguration is set for Tuesday, The Jakarta Post reported.

    Friday's session lasted ten minutes and was attended by only 44 of the council's 106 members, after all the Red-White coalition refused to come, according to the Jakarta Globe.

    The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) opposes Ahok's ascension to governor, a position he inherited as the elected deputy governor after Joko Widodo became president.

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