1 ISSUE: 2017 No. 39 ISSN 2335-6677 RESEARCHERS AT ISEAS – YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE ANALYSE CURRENT EVENTS Singapore | 9 June 2017 Ethnic Minority Politics in Jakarta’s Gubernatorial Election Ahmad Najib Burhani* EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  Both candidates in the run-off election for the Jakarta governorship were members of economically successful ethnic minorities.  Anies Baswedan’s Arabic ancestry aided him in this election. Incumbent governor Ahok’s Chinese minority status was clearly detrimental.  The rise of identity politics challenges democratic Indonesia’s efforts to manage its ethnic and religious diversity.  Arabic ancestry may prove detrimental for political candidates in upcoming elections, particularly against pribumi candidates. * Ahmad Najib Burhani is Visiting Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He wishes to thank Andrew Michael Carruthers and Hui Yew-Foong for their comments and suggestions on this article.