President Signs Decree On Appointment Of Jakarta Governor

Jakarta, Nov 18 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has signed a presidential decree on the appointment of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, alias Ahok, as Jakarta governor. "The presidential decree has been issued. We are now coordinating with the home affairs ministry, tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 19) most probably (he will be installed)," Minister/State Secretary Pratikno informed the press here on Tuesday. The venue and technical issues related to the swearing-in ceremony are being prepared, he noted. Speaker of the Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) Prasetyo Edi Marsudi earlier met President Jokowi at the presidential palace to discuss about the inauguration of Ahok as the next Jakarta governor. "The inauguration of Ahok will be held at the palace at 2 p.m. local time tomorrow," Prasetyo Marsudi revealed. The president will himself install Ahok, he stated. Jokowi, the former mayor of Solo, and Ahok, the former district head of East Belitung, were sworn in, respectively, as Jakarta`s governor and deputy governor on October 5, 2012. Two years later, on October 6, 2014, Jokowi resigned from his gubernatorial seat after he won the presidential election in 2014. But, Ahok`s ascension was not automatic, as Jakarta`s legislators from the Great Indonesia Coalition (KIH) and the Red and White Coalition (KMP) had differing interpretations regarding the laws on governorship.