JP\/18\/PILKD1<\/p>\n
Denpasar, a model of political composure<\/p>\n
I Wayan Juniartha
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Denpasar, Bali<\/p>\n
A few weeks ago, in the lead up to the election of Denpasar
\nmayor, a good number of political pundits and security officers
\nwarned the public of the possible explosive days ahead.<\/p>\n
It was an appropriate warning as clashes have tarnished
\nBalinese politics in the past. Moreover, the participating
\ncandidates are from noble houses, which wield great influence
\nover the city's traditional power bases.<\/p>\n
Moreover, they are also closely connected to two of the city's
\nmost powerful youth organizations, Balinese gangs that control
\nthe lucrative, albeit shady, businesses of private security and
\ndebt-collecting.<\/p>\n
Take for instance Puspayoga, the incumbent mayor and arguably
\nthe strongest candidate in the upcoming election. Puspayoga hails
\nfrom Puri Satria, a house of nobility widely respected by
\ntraditional communities in eastern Denpasar.<\/p>\n
He is also a popular figure among die-hard supporters of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Also, Puspayoga
\nenjoys a warm relationship with the Forum Peduli Denpasar (FPD),
\na youth organization known to control security at the city's --
\nin fact the island's -- biggest bus terminal, Ubung.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Puspayoga's strongest rival, Widiada comes from
\nPuri Peguyangan, an influential house of nobility in the northern
\nsuburban area of the city. He is a popular figure among his peers
\nin the Golkar party.<\/p>\n
Widiada's running mate, Suma Widana, comes from the
\ninfluential Puri Pemecutan and, to some extent, was a father
\nfigure to the members of the Laskar Bali, arguably the island's
\nmost powerful youth organization. Laskar Bali now provides its
\nsecurity services to a large number of night spots in Legian and
\nSeminyak.<\/p>\n
\"Moreover, it will be our first experience in picking our
\nmayor through a direct election. Such an election is vulnerable
\nto violent clashes at the grass roots,\" political analyst
\nChusmeru said.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, the warning and the anxiety have not materialized
\ninto a terrifying disturbance. Except for one minor incident, the
\npre-campaign and campaign process -- from June 7 until June 20
\n-- went surprisingly well.<\/p>\n
It was a big achievement for the people and politicians of the
\ncity, particularly as election season in neighboring regencies
\nwas marred by various incidents, ranging from intimidation and
\nthe destruction of campaign banners and billboards to physical
\nassault.<\/p>\n
Head of the Denpasar Elections Commission (KPUD) Ray Misno
\nattributes this achievement to the candidates' political maturity
\nand understanding of the nature of the political process.<\/p>\n
\"We are very lucky because all the participating candidates
\nare open-minded and composed politicians who are acutely aware
\nthat the fate and future of this city very much depends upon
\ntheir ability to maintain order during this political process,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"They made a gentlemen's agreement not to hold a large,
\noutdoor public meeting and opt instead for indoor events and
\nvarious charity and social activities, such as visiting
\norphanages. And they stayed true to that agreement,\" Misno said.<\/p>\n
The candidates were indeed at their most generous during this
\ncritical period.<\/p>\n
Puspayoga, for instance, spent a large amount of money on
\nbillboards bearing diplomatic messages.<\/p>\n
Rather than urging the people to elect Puspayoga, the
\nbillboards displayed the smiling faces of Puspayoga and his
\nrunning mate, Rai Mantra, above the text: \"Menang atau Kalah,
\nDenpasar Tetap Aman dan Kondusif\" (Denpasar will still be safe
\nand peaceful (whether we) win or lose the election).<\/p>\n
A similar message was conveyed by Widiada and his running
\nmate, Suma Widana, during public appearances.<\/p>\n
\"The interests of this city, of the people of Denpasar are
\nworth a thousand more than our political interest. Winning and
\nlosing are a natural consequence of any political endeavor and we
\nwill not sacrifice the security and peace of this city just for
\nthe sake of winning this election,\" Widiada stressed.<\/p>\n
While their counterparts in Badung and Tabanan were busy
\nattacking each other in local news outlets, both Puspayoga and
\nWidiada used the media to sent a message of cooperation, unity
\nand the importance of stable security and economic conditions.<\/p>\n
\"Both Puspayoga and Widiada are mature and low-profile
\nfigures. Their ability to stay cool and make friendly gestures
\ntoward each other are the key to the peaceful political
\natmosphere we are currently experiencing,\" poet Mas Ruscitadewi
\nnoted.<\/p>\n
Ray Misno, however, said the days immediately following
\nelection day on June 24 would be the real test for Puspayoga and
\nWidiada.<\/p>\n
\"Will they really be able to accept defeat in a controlled and
\npeaceful manner?. Will they be able to control the reaction of
\ntheir die-hard supporters? These are the questions that are
\nhaunting my sleepless nights,\" he disclosed.<\/p>\n
\"If we win, we will immediately pay Puspayoga a visit and ask
\nfor his support. If we lose, we will immediately pay Puspayoga a
\nvisit and offer him our support,\" Widiada responded.<\/p>\n
On June 24, around 342,348 registered voters will cast their
\nvotes at 1,004 polling stations across the city. On that day,
\nthey will not only elect a new mayor but put their politicians
\nthrough the ultimate test of character; how composed will they be
\nin a moment of political defeat.<\/p>",
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