Basuki Tjahaja Purnama

Who is Basuki Tjahaja Purnama?

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is the current Lieutenant Governor of Jakarta, a former legislator in the Indonesian People's Representative Council. and the second Chinese Indonesian to hold this position. He is also known by his Hakka affectionate nickname, Ahok.

Born in Manggar, East Belitung, Basuki was a graduate of Trisakti University and Prasetiya Mulya Business School. He was a member of Commission II of the House of Representatives for the 2009-2014 term. However, he resigned from the position in 2012 to run for the Lieutenant Governor position in the 2012 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

He became the running mate of Joko Widodo in the 2012 Jakarta gubernatorial election. They won the election with 53.82% of the votes. The ticket was nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party – Struggle and the Great Indonesia Movement Party.

Governor Joko Widodo, or popularly known as Jokowi, took a temporary leave from the post of Jakarta governor to run as the presidential candidate. Basuki was sworn in as acting Governor of Jakarta, on 2 June. As Jokowi was elected as president, Basuki will succeed him as Governor.