JAKARTA. Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama has asked his supporters to pay attention to regulations and follow all laws, including those imposed by other countries, following an incident in which members of the Teman Ahok (Friends of Ahok) group were denied entry to Singapore.
Ahok regretted the incident, in which two Teman Ahok founders - Amalia Ayuningtyas and Richard Saerang - were denied entry to the city-state because of their plans to conduct political activities including raising campaign funds. Singaporean law prohibits foreign political activities in the country.
"Don't be so enthusiastic that you violate laws. It will make you stressed," Ahok said on Monday at City Hall.
He hoped no similar incidents would recur in the future. Ahok also appreciated the move by Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia Anil Kumar Nayar, who called him to explain the incident involving the Teman Ahok members.
Amalia and Richard were invited by Jakartans living in Singapore for an event in support of Ahok, who will run as an independent candidate in the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election. They planned to attend a gathering to raise funds as well as collect copies of the identity cards of Jakartans living in the city-state to boost the number of IDs required for Ahok's independent candidacy.
However, upon arrival at Changi International Airport on Saturday they were questioned by Singaporean authorities about their reason for visiting the country.
Information circulated on social media indicated that Amalia and Richard were detained by local authorities, a claim later denied by the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore and the Singaporean Embassy in Jakarta.
Teman Ahok is a group of volunteers supporting Ahok in his bid for a second term in the capital's top post. (Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
