Jakarta’s new governor draws mixed reactions
Muslim groups vent anger but Chinese Indonesians express hope as Christian member of community prepares to take office.
Published On 14 Nov 2014
For the first time in more than three decades, the Indonesian capital Jakarta will have a governor of Chinese descent. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok as he is called, has become a symbol of hope for Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese population.
For decades, Chinese Indonesians were banned from politics. Now Ahok, who is a Christian, is set to govern the country’s largest city. But this has angered conservative Musilm groups, who have protested against him.
Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen reports from Jakarta.
Source: Al Jazeera