THE Jakarta gubernatorial election will take place in mid-February next year, simultaneous with voting at a hundred other areas around the country. Unofficially, however, the race seems to have begun a few days ago.

The three candidatesAgus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Anies Rasyid Baswedan and Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and their running matesare out there seeking support. From the start, this race has been marked by some provocative statements, which last