As Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama faces backlash due to a blasphemy trial against him, the case has become a popular topic of petition campaigns. (Antara Photo/Sigid Kurniawan)

Jakarta. Incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has filed a complaint to Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi against a tweet by a senior Indonesian diplomat which the governor said is threatening and racist.

Basuki, popularly known as Ahok, was referring to the Indonesian ambassador for Japan, Yusron Ihza Mahendra who tweeted on Monday (28/03) urging the governor to stop his outspoken, no-nonsense style of leadership suggesting that his attitude could prompt a repeat of the 1998 sectarian riot in the capital targeting ethnic Chinese.

“Ahok must not be so arrogant as a leader. Have pity on other Chinese who are poor, kind and innocent if they fall victim,” he tweeted.

2- mk mohon Ahok tdk arogan dlm memerintah. Kasihan dg Cina2 lainnya yg miskin, baik & tdk salah jika mrk jd korban: https://t.co/fXpJutTY6v — Yusron Ihza Mahendra (@YusronIhza_Mhd) March 28, 2016

Yusron is the brother of law professor Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who has announced his ambition to become Basuki's rival in next year's gubernatorial election.

The governor on Wednesday (30/03) said he will not tolerate what the ambassador tweeted.

“Why did he tweet such threatening message. Hey poor Chinese, be careful you will get slaughtered because of Ahok. That's out of line and racist. And he's an ambassador for Japan. Yusril's brother,” the governor said as qouted by Kompas.com.

“I have told Retno [about the tweet]. How can Indonesia have an ambassador like this?”