If you head down to Jakarta’s City Hall, it looks like they are holding one of the biggest ceremonies in town. A flood of colors have taken over City Hall’s garden, which has been consumed by over 1,000 floral arrangements sent to outgoing Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok, to say goodbye after he lost last week’s election, according to quick counts.
The flowers have been streaming in since yesterday, and according to City Hall security, they have become overwhelmed by the flowers and have had to move them to the parking lot of MONAS, Indonesia’s national monument.
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“Is this the city hall or a cemetery?” posted Titus Siswandono with an aerial shot of the floral arrangements.
As the flowers keep coming, the hashtag #GombalinAhok (SweetTalkAhok) became the number one trending topic in Indonesia. Photos of floral arrangements were accompanied by poems or sweet—borderline cheesy—words to show their appreciation for the outgoing Jakarta governor.
Some of them are so sappy it’s almost hard to believe they’re talking about a government official. Surrounded by 21 broken hearts, the arrangement below reads “From those with broken hearts, you’re gone when we loved you the most”
Fans of Ahok have been pouring into City Hall to say their goodbyes. Some were crying like they lost a lover and others left somber flower arrangements as if they were at a funeral.
Ahok expressed his gratitude on Instagram, “Thank you for all the flowers sent to the City Hall. Reading these creative remarks makes me optimistic about Jakarta’s future. Let’s look into the future and pray for goodness of Jakarta and Indonesia.”
It seems that many of Jakarta’s resident just can’t quit the embattled governor. Even after losing the election and now facing sentencing in his blasphemy trial, the governor is still breaking hearts throughout the city.
The steps of City Hall are looking more like a rock concert than the bastion of city bureaucracy. “I’m crying again after seeing this. Even though I tried to move on,” said Maya Rischa.
“Ahok, even though your time was short, your fight was real”
