'I have always been a sympathizer': Ahok joins PDI-P - Jakarta Post

Joining the club: Basuki "BTP" Tjahaja Purnama, aka Ahok, shows off his membership card for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) after a visit to the party's Bali office on Friday.(JP/Zul Trio Anggono)Former Jakarta governor Basuki "BTP" Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, has officially joined the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), ending speculation on whether the Chinese-Indonesian politician would ever return to politics after being convicted of blasphemy nearly two years ago.

Ahok announced his decision in Bali on Friday following a meeting with leaders of the party's chapter on the resort island, tribunnews.com reported.

Wearing a red jacket, the PDI-P's signature color, Ahok told reporters: "I have [thought about this]. I have always been a sympathizer".

The PDI-P is the party of Ahok's former partners at the J...