Jakarta, NU Online
As a leader of a nation's capital, Basuki Tjahja Purnama (Ahok) has drawn public attention to his strategic post as the Jokowi's successor Jokowi. In addition to knowing the ways in reforming the bureaucracy in Jakarta, the man supported by the late KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) in the Bangka Belitung's regional election has also repeatedly come under fire for his communication style often breaking the limits of decency.

The supreme leader (Mustasyar) of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Ahmad Mustafa Bisri (Gus Mus) expressed his views and  assessment of the figure considered clean but easy to be angry. Gus Mus wrote in his personal Facebook account on 13 September 2016.

The leader of Pesantren Raudlatut Thalibin leteh, Rembang, Central Java said explicitly that the 'virus', a creature created by God named Ahok --the governor of Jakarta-- was remarkable. He could 'attack' minds and eliminate public reason including those who are supposed to be very sane.

"Even worse, the disease caused by the virus has spread rapidly. An epidemic. Only those who are blessed by God would be saved from this," Gus Mus said.

Then is there an antidote, Gus Mus said; yes, as an antidote to other 'viruses' attacking reason: be moderate in all things.

"Do not exaggerate. Including be moderate in loving and never be excessive in hating, "he said.

As reported by The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama joined a high-level meeting of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) at the house of  party chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri in Menteng, Central Jakarta, prior to the party’s official announcement on its nomination of a gubernatorial candidate.

At Megawati's house, Ahok joined deputy governor and PDI-P member Djarot Saiful Hidayat and senior party officials such as PDI-P secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto and lawmakers, as well as the head of the PDI-P’s legal division Trimedya Panjaitan.

Ahok's arrival was a strong signal that the ruling party will nominate Ahok and Djarot as its governor and deputy governor candidates for the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election.

Ahok declined to speculate on the party’s decision.

"I'm going back to City Hall. The decision is in the hands of the chairwoman [Megawati]. I will wait for the announcement," he told journalists as he left Megawati's house.

Djarot also tried to dampen the speculation saying that the party had not yet reached a final decision.

"Just be patient. I cannot make any comment because there has been no final decision yet," he said.

The PDI-P is scheduled to declare its official nomination of governor and deputy governor candidates to run in next year's election at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the party's central executive board headquarters in Central Jakarta. (Fathoni/Masdar)