'I'd rather watch soccer matches'<\/p>\n
The media is full of ad campaigns and debate among presidential
\ncandidates ahead of the July 5 direct presidential election, the
\nfirst in the country's history. However, many political analysts
\nhave bemoaned the lack of strong, charismatic candidates. The
\nJakarta Post asked some Jakartans how they singled out their
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
Anto, 32, is a es dawet ayu (traditional iced drink) vendor at
\nPasar Rumput, South Jakarta. He lives close to the Jl. Surabaya
\nflea market in Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
The upcoming presidential election is unlike the previous
\nones, where we had practically no voice at all. We only got to
\nchoose parties, which would then choose our legislative members,
\nwho would then choose the president. In the end, the president
\nwas whoever was is in line with the party that won the
\nlegislative election.<\/p>\n
With today's direct election, we can choose a different
\npresident, if it turns out that we don't like the party that won
\nthe legislative election.<\/p>\n
As for whom I will vote in the upcoming presidential election,
\nlet me just reiterate a popular campaign slogan: \"Let the people
\nchoose.\" But I think I'll go with the candidate with the most
\nrhythmical initials, if you know who I mean.<\/p>\n
Soleh, 29, is a railway mechanic at Manggarai railway station,
\nEast Jakarta. He lives with his friends in a rented house in
\nKampung Melayu, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I reckon the presidential election will be simpler than the
\nprevious legislative elections because we will have only five
\ncandidates to choose between.<\/p>\n
The previous legislative election was confusing for me,
\nbecause I had to choose among a list of legislative candidates of
\nwhom I'd never even heard before, apart from the 24 parties. Back
\nthen, I took the easy way out and just voted for the party.<\/p>\n
But I think the upcoming presidential election will also be
\nconfusing because the candidates' campaigns have not been as
\nfervent and lively as during the legislative elections, so I
\ndon't know them well enough.<\/p>\n
I know the candidates are also launching their campaigns via
\ntelevision, but I'd rather watch football matches instead.<\/p>\n
So I don't know yet; I'll just have to see later whom I will
\nchoose for president. Or maybe I'll just vote for the most
\npopular candidate I know of.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/id-rather-watch-soccer-matches-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }