Deputy Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama says Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi should study the Constitution in response to the minister's suggestion that Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo should consider replacing Lenteng Agung subdistrict head Susan Jasmine Zulkifli after a series of local protests.

'This is a Pancasila-based country and we are appointing an official based on merit and not bowing down to people pressures or rejection. Thus, the minister should learn more about the constitution,' Ahok said on the sidelines of the Flood Anticipation briefing held at the National Monument on Friday as quoted by tempo.co.

He then explained that using the minister's suggestion would jeopardize the merit system he and the governor were trying to implement within the city administration.

'Subdistrict head Susan is leading a region with 55,000 residents, way above the number of protesters who want her out. Besides, we found that most of the protesters held Depok ID cards instead of Jakarta,' he said.

Gamawan previously asked Jokowi to consider replacing Lenteng Agung subdistrict head Susan as requested by the protesters. These protesters wanted her out from office simply because she was a Christian.(apt/dic)