Former Jakarta Governors Gather, but Jokowi and Heru Absent
In a significant event hosted by the Jakarta Provincial Government, the Bentang Harapan JakASA meeting saw the attendance of many former Jakarta leaders on December 31, 2024. However, the absence of two notable figures, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Heru Budi Hartono, raised eyebrows.
Acting Governor Teguh Setyabudi extended invitations to all former governors and deputy governors of Jakarta to celebrate the city’s 500th anniversary and share their hopes for Jakarta’s future. Six former governors, including Sutiyoso, Fauzi Bowo, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), and Anies Baswedan, as well as former deputy governor Ahmad Riza Patria, were present.
Jokowi’s Absence Explained
Jokowi, who served as Jakarta’s governor from 2012 to 2014 and later became Indonesia’s seventh president, did not attend the event. His absence was attributed to a conflicting engagement: he chose to spend New Year’s Eve with his family in Solo, Central Java. Jokowi expressed his regret for missing the event and sent his regards to the attendees.
Heru Budi Hartono’s Absence
Heru Budi Hartono, the current acting governor of Jakarta, was also absent from the event. He was in Yogyakarta at the time, hence his inability to attend the gathering.
Other Notable Attendees
The event also saw the presence of several candidates for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election in 2024. Pramono Anung-Rano Karno, the winning pair from the 2024 election, attended, along with other candidates like Suswono and Kun Wardhana. Ridwan Kamil, another gubernatorial candidate, was absent as he was out of town.
Jokowi echoed his regret for not attending the event, stating that he had a prior engagement in Solo. He dismissed any suggestion of tension with other former governors, such as Anies Baswedan and Ahok, stating that all was well with them. However, he admitted that he had not met Anies or Ahok in some time.
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