Jakarta Globe, Dames Alexander Sinaga, June 29, 2017
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| One of numerous e-cards seen on Indonesia's social media celebrating former Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama's 51st birthday on Thursday (29/06). (Photo courtesy of Twitter) |
Jakarta.
Former Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama’s 51st birthday
was celebrated raucously on social media on Thursday (29/06).
Ahok's fans
used the hashtag #HBDAhok51 to send the former governor — now serving his
two-year sentence for blasphemy at the Police Mobile Brigade detention centerin Depok, just outside Jakarta — numerous birthday wishes on Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram and Path.
Happy b'day Pak @basuki_btp you are the definition of a true leader! All the best Pak!#HBDAhok51 #TetapAhok pic.twitter.com/iS3hGhfFhr— Hasfinanda (@RHasfinanda) June 28, 2017
The hashtag
#TetapAhok (Forever Ahok) soon joined #HBDAhok51 on the Twitter Trends list in
Indonesia.
Many of
Ahok's supporters believe his two-year sentence for blasphemy was unfair and
that the first Chinese-Christian governor of Jakarta in modern era was only a
victim of politicians exploiting religious sentiment to promote their own interests.