Jakarta Gubernatorial Candidates Must Be Transparent: PDI-P Secretary General
Jakarta. Hasto Kristiyanto, secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, has encouraged Jakarta gubernatorial candidates to exude honesty and transparency ahead of the runoff election scheduled for April 19.
"The honesty of a leader is important. This trait should be exemplified by all four candidates," Hasto said in Central Jakarta on Sunday (26/03).
Hasto, whose political party is backing incumbent Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and his deputy Djarot Saiful Hidayat addressed a question concerning rival candidate Sandiaga Uno, the running mate of former education minister Anies Baswedan, who failed to comply with a police summons in relation to an alleged misappropriation of funds in a Rp 7 billion ($527,000) land transaction in 2012.
"Clarification on the land transaction issue is important. When Sandiaga avoids the police summons, we are left with competing interpretations as to the truth of the matter," Hasto said.
Political leaders have to be open and honest, Hasto said, adding that a detrimental example would be set if Sandiaga is found guilty of "financial misappropriation."
"Imagine if more than Rp 65 trillion of Jakarta's regional budget, plus the capital's extraordinary assets, fall into the hands of wrong leaders. They would be able to commit various misappropriations. Sandiaga should directly address the case to avoid any misinterpretations," he said.
Hasto advised Sandiaga to comply with the summons, citing Ahok and losing deputy governor candidate Sylviana Murni's previous summons for unrelated cases.
"We believe the police are acting fairly. The evidence is that Ahok and Sylviana complied with police summons several times in the past," he said.
Compliance to law, according to the PDI-P politician, is a duty of every citizen, regardless of political office.
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