Ignorance of alternatives<\/p>\n
Winarno Zain's article Megawati presidency not foregone
\nconclusion invites answers to three questions: why Golkar got so
\nmany votes, why National Mandate Party (PAN) got so few votes and
\nwhy Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) got
\nso many votes in strongholds of Islamic parties.<\/p>\n
When Golkar won 70 percent support in 1997, the main factors
\nwere lack of alternatives, ballot-rigging, intimidation, bribery,
\npressures from employers, media manipulation, loyalty to local
\nand national leaders, satisfaction with the government's
\nperformance, habit, familiarity, conformity and fear of change.
\nIn 1999, lack of alternatives was replaced by ignorance of the
\nalternatives, while all the other factors remained influential.<\/p>\n
Ballot-rigging lessened in areas where Golkar officials were
\nunder pressure, like Java. But in areas where Golkar expected to
\nwin, like Sulawesi, it remained extensive, so extensive that the
\nNorth Sulawesi Elections Committee requested a rerun of the whole
\npoll.<\/p>\n
Intimidation should be understood not only in terms of Aceh
\nand East Timor, but in terms of a climate of fear. In cities
\nfreedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of
\nassembly determine the political climate and there has been a big
\nimprovement over the past year. But in villages the political
\nclimate comes from enmeshment of extortion, bureaucracy,
\ncorruption and Golkar and this has changed little. Most voters
\nhave been drilled from youth that they are taking a risk by not
\nsupporting Golkar and this idea cannot be dispelled by a few TV
\nadverts.<\/p>\n
In this context, the much criticized \"show of strength\"
\napproach of rallies had an important function. It persuaded
\npeople that it is acceptable not to vote for Golkar. National
\nAwakening Party (PKB) supporters rode in convoy around the back
\nroads of East Java, but no sane person rides in convoy around the
\nback roads of Central Sulawesi. Intellectuals may not like street
\nrallies but they build a sense of common struggle and purpose
\nthat other kinds of campaigning cannot and shared purpose can win
\nover the votes of whole communities.<\/p>\n
PAN appealed to students, the middle class and other
\nindividualists but outside Muhammadiyah areas it had no key to
\nunlock the votes of whole villages or districts.<\/p>\n
JOHN HARGREAVES<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ignorance-of-alternatives-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }