Ahok's Birthday Celebrated Widely on Social Media

Jakarta Globe, Dames Alexander Sinaga, June 29, 2017

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.