Nothing like campaigning<\/p>\n
This is Indonesia's first democratic election, or at least
\nthat is what it is being billed as, in quite a long time. The
\nworld looks on with great anticipation to see how Indonesian's
\nconduct themselves with their new found freedom. It is
\nbewildering then to see just how we act during the campaign. What
\nis the point of each party parading around the streets and tying
\nup traffic? Does anyone think that people will change their vote
\nafter seeing a line of buses with people crammed inside and on
\ntop, motorcycles with sometimes as many as five people on them,
\nall carrying party flags, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians
\nacting like a group of clowns?<\/p>\n
Most of the people in the parades are obviously not old enough
\nto vote. One has to wonder what they are doing there. Are they
\npaid to turn out? The atmosphere is similar to what I would think
\nit is like at Mardi Gras in Brazil or an American fraternity
\nparty. Young boys and girls sit on the top of buses smoking
\ncigarettes and throwing their trash in the street. Furthermore,
\nthese street rallies cause pollution and are expensive.<\/p>\n
There are some people who still work and the mess this
\ncampaign has brought to the streets hinders them in performing
\ntheir jobs. People often cannot leave their offices. Should
\nJakarta be closed down for campaigning?<\/p>\n
Shouldn't this campaign be instructive instead of destructive?
\nWhat have we learned from these street pageants about any of the
\n48 parties' platforms? Do we understand the democratic process?
\nOr are we seen as party-loving fools, doing nothing but wasting
\nour energy? Do we want nothing more than a good time, not really
\ncaring who gets elected?<\/p>\n
FIRMAN IBRAHIM<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nothing-like-campaigning-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }