TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who is running for president on the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) ticket, met with President Yudhoyono at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.
In the 10-minute meeting, Jokowi said he requested consent from the president to vie in the July 9 presidential race.
“I was requesting permission to run for presidency,” Jokowi told the press. “I think he was quick on giving me the permission,” he said.
Jokowi has yet to confirm as to whether his leave of absence would begin. “It can be tomorrow, or maybe on Friday,” he said. While Jokowi is on leave, Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama would take over Jokowi’s gubernatorial duties.
Jokowi said the president also asked him to exercise politeness in his presidential campaigns. “[He asked me to] preserve ethics in the campaigns and politicking," Jokowi said.
PRIHANDOKO