Wefie marks beginning of gubernatorial campaign

Following a hectic nomination and registration process, Jakartas gubernatorial

candidates visited Mintohardjo Navy Hospital in Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta, for
medical checkups on Saturday.It was their first direct encounter with one another
after officially declaring their candidacy for an election that is tipped by many to be a
tight three-horse race.Smear campaigns have started to appear on social media and
fierce debates between supporters of the three candidate pairs are likely to become
a regular feature of the capital over the next few months.However, at the hospital,
the candidates made a friendly gesture. The six of them took a selfie together and
posted it on a social media.

Selfies before medical checkup, governor candidate Anies Baswedan wrote on his
Instagram account next to a picture of him; his running mate Sandiaga Uno; Jakarta
Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama; Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat;
the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono;
and his running mate Sylviana Murni.The picture was followed by another photo
posted on Sandiagas social media account showing the six candidates with the
hospitals medical team.

We might even create a WhatsApp group, Sylviana told reporters on the sidelines
of the event. Sylvianas quip was met with laughter from the other candidates.Prior to
her candidacy, Sylviana was Ahoks assistant for tourism, and while the governor
said he was aware of Sylvianas political ambitions, he displayed no hard feelings on
the day. All the candidates were smiling in the picture.
Some Islamic groups are trying out various schemes to prevent the reelection of
Ahok, who they refer to as a kafir (infidel), including by calling on Muslim voters to
join together in an alliance to oppose him.Ahok said the election was a competition
of ideas and programs to create a better city for the residents of Jakarta.I dont want
to hear any sara [ethnic, religious, racial] remarks during the election campaign, he
said.

The long campaign will begin on Oct. 26 and end on Feb. 11, four days before
election day itself. In the case of a second round election, balloting day will be held
on April 19.The law requires Ahok to take leave during the campaign period. The
governor has challenged the rule and the Constitutional Court is expected to issue its
verdict on the issue soon.

The wefie has been praised by many because it seems to signal that the governor
and deputy governor, and their challengers, will engage in a peaceful and democratic
election process.Jakarta resident Devie Nova said the photo demonstrated the
goodwill of the candidates. Devie hoped the goodwill could be extended over the
coming months.I hope the residents of Jakarta can see the positive message in the
picture, she told The Jakarta Post.In the past few weeks, issues of sectarianism
have clouded the election. For the first time in Indonesias history, a Christian
Chinese-Indonesian is running openly for the position of governor. Ahok, who tops
the polls, is thought by many to be the front-runner in the race.

On Sunday, the candidates underwent psychological tests at the hospital and drug
tests at a laboratory at the National Narcotics Agency in Cawang, East Jakarta.Im
fine. Im not a psychopath, Ahok told reporters jokingly after the psychological test.
The governor seemed to be responding to vitriolic comments from some of his
political rivals, including from politician Abraham Lulung Lunggana of the United
Development Party. Lulung accused Ahok of having mental problems, reflected by
Ahoks direct and forceful temperament.

Source:www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/09/26/wefie-marks-beginning-of-
gubernatorial-campaign.html