Mooryati says she's answering the call<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Mooryati Soedibyo, the 75-year-old cosmetics queen, is ready
\nto assume her seat on the Regional Representatives Council (DPD)
\nas the top vote-getter in Jakarta, according to data released by
\nthe General Elections Commission (KPU).<\/p>\n
Although the ballot counting is not yet complete, Mooryati
\nlook set to fill one of the four DPD seats available for Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Having been a businesswoman for more than 30 years, Mooryati
\nmade a sharp turn into politics by nominating herself as a DPD
\ncandidate.<\/p>\n
\"It is a calling for me to do something to fix this country's
\nproblems, especially in Jakarta, since I feel I am a Jakartan
\nalthough I originally came from Central Java,\" Mooryati told The
\nJakarta Post at her office in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
When asked why she chose to run for the DPD, which requires
\nmembers not to be affiliated with any political parties, rather
\nthan seeking a seat in the legislature as a member of a party,
\nshe said being a DPD member would allow her to be more
\nindependent in representing the people.<\/p>\n
\"If I joined a political party, I would have to follow the
\nparty's mission and vision, which somehow would put restrictions
\non what I want to do,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Vowing to tackle such issues as women's empowerment, domestic
\nviolence, health care and free education for women and children,
\npoverty and flooding, Mooryati has so far won 442,006 of
\n4,238,036 votes.<\/p>\n
\"Most of my voters are from East Jakarta, where my cosmetics
\nfactory is located. I obtained about 400,000 votes there,
\nalthough I only employ approximately 4,000 workers. Approximately
\n70 percent of my voters are women.<\/p>\n
\"I am glad that many people have chosen me and support me. I
\nam glad to represent them and I hope I can do the best for this
\ncity,\" said Mooryati.<\/p>\n
She acknowledged that being well-known had its advantages
\nduring campaigning, because many people had already seen her on
\ntelevision or read about her in newspapers.<\/p>\n
\"If someone is well known, it is easier to pick up votes.
\nMaybe there are smarter people out there, but a well-known person
\nwill win,\" she said, pointing to the governor of California,
\nArnold Schwarzenegger, and former U.S. president Ronald Reagan.<\/p>\n
Thirty-eight DPD candidates in Jakarta were competing for four
\nseats, despite the fact that the DPD does not carry a great deal
\nof power in the government.<\/p>\n
The council only has the right to propose and discuss with the
\nHouse of Representatives and to put forward opinions in the case
\nof bills on the state budget, taxation, education and religion.
\nBut Mooryati said that she and the DPD members from the other 33
\nprovinces would fight to give the council more authority than it
\ncurrently wields.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mooryati-says-shes-answering-the-call-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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