Party colors<\/p>\n
Like most foreigners, we fled Jakarta during the last days of
\nthe election campaign. Concerned embassies had warned foreigners
\nto stay at home or leave the city. So we did, and we had an
\nenjoyable time in south Sumatra, far away from the crowds,
\ntraffic jams, pollution and yes... the rallies.<\/p>\n
During those four days in Sumatra it looked as if no campaign
\nwas going on, being used to the endless rallies on the streets of
\nJakarta. There was no need to adopt party colors for protection
\nor rehearse the parties' finger symbols, for fear of giving the
\nwrong one during a rally.<\/p>\n
But campaigning was still evident in certain areas. Flags
\n(usually yellow), posters urging people to vote and people
\ndressed in yellow T-shirts were evident on the streets. The thing
\nthat struck me most, during and after our holiday, was a small
\nparty in the village. Here, dangdut music could be heard and a
\nGolkar official was rallying. Children, dressed in yellow T-
\nshirts and caps, gave the Golkar two-finger sign.<\/p>\n
Being tall, blond foreigners, we were easily spotted when we
\nstopped in the village for a drink. Soon, we were the center of
\nattention. The campaign leader's words faded into the distance
\nand people stopped dancing to dangdut music. We were
\nphotographed, given yellow caps, and invited to stay for a free
\nlunch. The campaign leader told the crowd, which had moved in our
\ndirection, that some foreign guests would join the rally. While
\nthat was not entirely our plan, we joined in since the atmosphere
\nwas pleasant, party-like, and the children were enthusiastic.
\nAfter all, we were also in a festive mood, being on holiday.<\/p>\n
So among our pictures of green rice paddies, splendid mountain
\nviews, blue lakes and white sandy beaches are photos of me
\nstanding in a sea of yellow.<\/p>\n
The odd thing is, that after returning, I happened to read The
\nJakarta Post's little box that is always provided on page 2 and
\nlearned it wasn't a Golkar campaign day in Sumatra after all. I
\nremembered putting a red cap on my head, I had figured it must
\nhave been a Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) day. Being
\nsympathetic and neutral, I am always willing to join the
\nIndonesian people in their \"festival of democracy\".<\/p>\n
In another article, I read about 2,700 violations of the
\ncampaign rules. I wonder if rallying on another party's campaign
\nday is also a violation. But this is none of my business, being
\nneither an Indonesian, nor an official observer. My lesson from
\nthis small event is that in order to be a neutral, sympathetic
\nforeign guest during the campaign one should always carry the
\nthree colors -- green, yellow, red -- because one never knows
\napparently.<\/p>\n
MEI LI VOS<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/party-colors-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }