Golkar fails in West Sumatra poll<\/p>\n
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang<\/p>\n
The mighty Golkar Party looks to have failed in winning most of
\nits candidates up in West Sumatra's direct regional elections,
\ndespite its vast experience and huge party infrastructure. The
\nfailure was attributed to its mistakes in choosing popular
\ncandidates, a scholar says.<\/p>\n
During the June 27 direct regional elections, the Golkar Party
\nnot only lost the governor's post, but it also failed to win
\nregent and mayoral posts in 10 regencies and municipalities.
\nWhile votes are still being counted, the provisional tally shows
\nthat candidates nominated by the Golkar Party have fared poorly.<\/p>\n
In the election for provincial governor, Golkar Party
\ncandidates Leonardy Harmaini and Rusdi Lubis came a poor four out
\nof the five teams contesting the election, with 187,227 votes or
\n10.32 percent of a possible 1.86 million votes. The number of
\nvotes obtained by Leonardy-Rusdi was far below that of the
\nwinning team in the election, Gamawan Fauzi and Marlis Rahman,
\nwho were jointly nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI-P) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB). In the
\nelection, Gamawan and Marlis won 41.56 percent of the vote, or
\n754,343 votes.<\/p>\n
In the regency and municipality elections, Golkar Party
\ncandidates only won in two regions, namely Solok regency and
\nSolok municipality.<\/p>\n
The failure has dealt severe blow to the Golkar Party as
\nbefore the direct regional elections, Golkar had always won
\nregional elections. Possessing political skills, a vast party
\ninfrastructure and strong backing from the Indonesian military,
\nthe Golkar Party was always able to convince and or compel
\ncouncillors to vote for regional leaders nominated by Golkar. The
\nglory days however have come to an end, with regional leaders now
\nbeing determined by direct election rather than by legislatures.<\/p>\n
Ranny Emilia, a political observer from Andalas University in
\nPadang, commented that Golkar's failure was because of mounting
\ndisappointment with the big political parties, notably Golkar.<\/p>\n
"Elections in West Sumatra have proven that money, personal
\nappearances and a big party is not a guarantee of success. People
\nprefer to choose figure that can bring change," said Ranny.<\/p>\n
Golkar Party and other big parties chose candidates with
\nmoney, but they forgot that money was not everything.<\/p>\n
"Gamawan and Marlis do not have money but people voted for
\nthem because the public trusts them. They believe the pair could
\nbring a chance, and combat corruption in West Sumatra," said
\nRanny.<\/p>\n
Separately, deputy chairman of Golkar's West Sumatra chapter
\nYonda Jabar said the party was evaluating the defeat.<\/p>\n
Candidate pairs most likely win
\nin June 27 West Sumatra elections
\n
\nNo Regions Pairs Parties
\n==================================================================
\n1. Bukittinggi Djufri-Ismet Amzis The Crescent Star<\/p>\n
municipality Party (PBB)<\/p>\n
2. Agam regency Aristo Munandar PBB and Merdeka Party<\/p>\n
and Ardinal Hasan<\/p>\n
3. Padang Pariaman Muslim Kasim and The National Mandate<\/p>\n
regency Ali Mukhni Party (PAN) and PDI-P<\/p>\n
4. Pasaman regency Yusuf Lubis and PBB, PAN and the<\/p>\n
Hamdy Burhan Prosperous Justice<\/p>\n
Party (PKS)<\/p>\n
5. West Pasaman Syahiran-Risnawanto PBB and PDI-P<\/p>\n
regency<\/p>\n
6. Limapuluh Kota Amri Darwis-Irfendi PBB, PAN, PKS<\/p>\n
regency
\n
\n7. Dhamasraya Marlon and Tugimin PDI-P and PAN<\/p>\n
regency
\n
\n8. South Solok Syafrizal PKS and the Indonesian<\/p>\n
regency and Nurfirmansyah Justice and<\/p>\n
Unity Party (PKPI)<\/p>\n
9. Solok regency Gusmal and Desra Golkar Party<\/p>\n
10. Solok Syamsu Rahim and Golkar Party and PBB<\/p>\n
municipality Irzal Ilyas<\/p>\n
11. West Sumatra Gamawan and Marlis PDI-P and PBB<\/p>\n
province
\n==================================================================
\nSource: West Sumatra KPU<\/p>",
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