Battle for Jakarta: Ahok under siege despite high approval rating in office

By Jewel Topsfield
Updated February 10 2017 - 3:23pm, first published 2:45pm
An Ahok shirt seller waits for customers in the Jakarta suburb of Menteng.   Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah
An Ahok shirt seller waits for customers in the Jakarta suburb of Menteng. Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah
A protester carries a sign that reads "The people of Indonesia do not need Ahok" at the December rally in Jakarta. Photo: Jewel Topsfield
A protester carries a sign that reads "The people of Indonesia do not need Ahok" at the December rally in Jakarta. Photo: Jewel Topsfield
The Ciliwung river in east Jakarta. Ahok has won favour with the middle class by cleaning up slum areas and alleviating infrastructure problems in the capital. Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah
The Ciliwung river in east Jakarta. Ahok has won favour with the middle class by cleaning up slum areas and alleviating infrastructure problems in the capital. Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah
Santi Panggabean, right, does a brisk trade in Ahok's trademark plaid shirt. But the governor's popularity is not reflected in election polling. Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah
Santi Panggabean, right, does a brisk trade in Ahok's trademark plaid shirt. But the governor's popularity is not reflected in election polling. Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah
Residents of Jakarta's Kampung Akuarium say they were evicted by Ahok despite a "political contract". Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah
Residents of Jakarta's Kampung Akuarium say they were evicted by Ahok despite a "political contract". Photo: Irwin Fedriansyah

Jakarta: It's 2pm on a Tuesday in the Jakarta suburb of Menteng and blue and red plaid shirts on a curbside rack are selling like hot cakes.

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