TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo said he had no grudges against the National Development Party (PPP) legislators who decided to walk out of a recent hearing involving the Jakarta administration and the Regional Legislative Council.
Jokowi said the decision was part of the legislators’ constitutional rights.
“That’s part of the faction’s rights. It’s OK,” Jokowi said on Monday, September 2, 2013.
PPP lawmakers decided to walk out of the plenary meeting scheduled for reviews by party factions on the regional budget on Monday, September 2, 2013. They said they still felt offended by Vice Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama’s harsh remarks against PPP faction chief Abraham Lunggana alias Lulung.
Commenting on the vice governor’s straight-talking attitude, the governor said it was Ahok’s nature and it was impossible for him to ask his deputy to act “softly”. “The same goes for me if somebody asks me to act like he does,” the governor said.
In general, the governor said he had maintained a good relationship with the Jakarta Regional Representatives Council (DPRD DKI Jakarta), including with Lulung. “He always answers my phone calls,” Jokowi said.
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