The race for governor of Jakarta will be decided in a run-off, election authorities said Saturday, after incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama failed to cross the 50 percent threshold. Purnama, who is on trial for blasphemy, topped the first round with 43 percent and will go head-to-head with Anies Baswedan who came second with 40 percent. … Read more
Jakarta’s Christian governor looked set for a tough run-off against a Muslim opponent in city elections seen as a test of religious tolerance in Muslim-majority Indonesia, after a tight first round Wednesday. Analysts believe incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who is standing trial for blasphemy, is unlikely to win in a second round against ex-education minister … Read more
Nearly 50 million Indonesians are set to vote on Wednesday in scores of regional elections but the most closely watched is in the capital, Jakarta, where campaigning for the post of governor has inflamed religious tension. Polls will open first in the east of the sprawling archipelago. In all, 101 elections will be held in … Read more
Jakarta goes to the polls Wednesday with the city’s Christian governor fighting to keep his job in a high-stakes election seen as a test of religious tolerance in Muslim-majority Indonesia. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who is standing trial for blasphemy, faces two prominent Muslim challengers in the race to lead the teeming capital of 10 million, … Read more
Jakarta’s Christian governor will fight to cling on to his job at polls this week despite standing trial for blasphemy, in a saga that has fuelled concerns about religious intolerance in the Muslim-majority nation. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama will Wednesday face two prominent Muslim candidates in the race to lead the Indonesian capital, a megacity of … Read more