Contenders for Jakarta's Top Job

A one-on-one meeting between Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil and businessman Sandiaga Salahudin Uno took place on January 31 under the media's radar. Oddly enough, no one was aware of the mayor's agenda that day. The two met at the mayor's official weekend residence. During the meeting that lasted an hour-and-a-half, the two men talked about the plan to modernize 37 traditional markets in Bandung.

Just before the call to prayer at sunset, however, Sandiaga brought up the topic of the election for the next Jakarta governor. As the meeting was coming to an end, he asked Ridwan abouthis readiness to be a candidate. Ridwan said he would think about it. "In that case, I'll start (campaign) activities before you in Jakarta," Sandiaga said. Last Thursday, Ridwan dismissed the news that their meeting had been specifically to discuss the election. "It's only about investing in the markets," he said.