Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono on Saturday promised to strengthen harmony and maintain unity in the capital while speaking with residents in North Jakarta, which is home to a large proportion of Chinese-Indonesians.

Accompanied by his running mate Sylviana Murni, Agus visited the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) market and the Muara Karang area, calling on residents to join hands to create a better Jakarta.

“Sylvi and I are here today to greet Chinese-Indonesian residents at PIK. We want to assure you that we are all brothers and sisters who uphold our country’s motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika [Unity in Diversity],” said Agus, who is the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

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Despite campaigning near non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s house in Pantai Mutiara, Agus and Sylvi were warmly welcomed by residents. People who visited the market asked to take photos and shake hands with the candidates.

Agus urged residents to work with the administration to help improve Jakarta’s economy at all levels. “We have great expectations that Chinese-Indonesians can boost the economy and help [the administration] to improve people’s welfare,” he said.

The pair was impressed by the tidiness and cleanliness of the PIK market, saying they would make it a model to develop other markets in the city. “We will replicate this market in other areas so Jakarta’s residents can shop more comfortably,” Sylvi said. (win/jun)