The clock is ticking. Jakarta’s Regional Election Commission (KPUD DKI) will open the registration for independent gubernatorial candidates in August, so the Governor of Jakarta Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama will have to decide whether he’s going to run in the race as an independent candidate (with Heru Budi Hartono as his running mate) or whether he’s going to run as a politically backed candidate in the next few weeks. That said, conflicting statements have emerged. Ahok has told the press that he’d leave it up to Teman Ahok to decide what’s best, whereas Teman Ahok has said that Ahok would be the one to decide whether he’s going to run as an independent or otherwise. To subscribe please click here