Ahok concedes defeat to his rival

JAKARTA. Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has conceded defeat to rival Anies Baswedan and running mate Sandiaga Uno in the gubernatorial runoff election on Wednesday.

“Congratulations to Anies and Sandiaga, their campaign team and supporters. We’re actually the same, we want Jakarta to be better because it is our home,” he said.

The governor then called on his loyal supporters to move on from the election, which has been seen by many as the most sectarian and divisive in the city’s history.

 “Trust me. Power comes from God and it too can be taken by God. No one comes to power without God’s permission. Don’t be sad. God knows,” he said.

The Christian governor, who struggled to contain the sectarian sentiment against him during the campaign period, said he would help Anies in the transition process and would accelerate his programs until the end of his term in October.

The head of Ahok’s campaign team, Prasetyo Edi Marsudi, said his side had accepted the election result and would not challenge it at the Constitutional Court.

Numerous quick count results have shown that Anies garnered around 58 percent of the vote in Wednesday's election, while Ahok gained around 42 percent.(Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)