Hamzah exits race, but still an icon
Hamzah exits race, but still an icon
Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta
The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPUD) has finished
counting 72.70 percent of ballots of the 6.87 million registered
voters to date and the result shows that presidential candidate
Hamzah Haz is definitely out of the race with only 2.35 percent
of the vote.
However, he remains an icon for his voters and neighbors.
"His poor result in the presidential election is a surprise to
me. I know Pak Haji well. He's a good Muslim and always helps the
orphans, widows and the poor," said Tafsir, a neighbor of the
United Development Party (PPP) chairman.
Living in Palmeriam, Central Jakarta, Hamzah is always seen
praying at the mosque in front of his house, according to Tafsir.
Hamzah and running mate Agum Gumelar garnered the largest
number of votes at polling station (TPS) 30 near his house.
Another neighbor Eka said Hamzah had not changed although he
was the incumbent vice president. He always greets his neighbors
while jogging along the narrow road beside the railway line that
links Kota railway station and Bekasi.
However, since becoming the second most important person in
the country, Hamzah is always surrounded by presidential guards.
"I don't think he's feels comfortable with that," Eka said.
As of 8:30 p.m., Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was still leading
the provisional tally with 1,902,303 votes or 38.09 percent,
followed by Amien Rais with 1,370,973 votes or 27.45 percent and
Megawati Soekarnoputri with 1,123,893 votes or 22.50 percent.
Although Tafsir believes that Hamzah is the best candidate, he
understands that his favorite failed to gain significant votes.
"I think Pak Haji is the best candidate, but other people
think differently. He is still a good neighbor for us, that I am
sure of," he added.
The KPUD announced that it has finished counting votes in
Central Jakarta and Thousand Islands.
In Central Jakarta, according to the quick count, Susilo
topped the tally with 189,715 votes or 33.99 percent while
Megawati finished first in the Thousand Islands with 4,616 votes
or 33.71 percent.