Sarwono introduces interactive campaign<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post,Jakarta<\/p>\n
Former Golkar secretary-general Sarwono Kusumaatmadja opted to go
\nahead on Thursday with his indoor campaign to a mediocre
\naudience.<\/p>\n
Many have become inured to the lengthy monologues of
\ncampaigners over the years, and dialogs by general election
\ncandidates have typically failed to draw thousands as in the
\npast.<\/p>\n
Sarwono, who is vying for a seat in the Regional
\nRepresentatives Council (DPD), told an audience of over 1,000
\npeople that the country had adopted a new electoral system that
\nallowed the people to elect legislative candidates directly.<\/p>\n
He explained that the system also included the soon-to-be-
\nestablished DPD, whose members are independent -- not political
\nparty members -- to represent the people.<\/p>\n
\"What's the benefit of direct elections? Your aspirations,
\nyour ideas on how to improve your life will be channeled directly
\nto legislators you trust and who have the authority to make
\ndecisions about it,\" Sarwono said.<\/p>\n
He invited the people onto the stage, asking them to tell him
\nanything they wanted to share. Sarwono also descended from the
\nstage in the middle of a stadium to approach people who were too
\nshy to ask questions.<\/p>\n
The audience, most of whom were wearing T-shirts bearing his
\npicture, came from several areas in South Jakarta. They told him
\ntheir concerns about the dengue fever outbreak, water rate hikes
\nand educational issues.<\/p>\n
Sarwono promised that he would listen to their aspirations
\nwith his whole heart and that, if elected, he would prioritize
\nwater, waste management and education.<\/p>\n
The legislative election is slated for April 5 to elect
\ncentral and local legislative members, as well as DPD members.
\nEach of the country's 32 provinces has four DPD seats. The
\nexisting People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is to be dissolved
\nas an institution and replaced by the DPD and the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR), which are to convene as a regulated
\nAssembly.<\/p>\n
Sarwono told reporters after the campaign that he preferred to
\nconduct dialogs with the people rather than delivering a speech.<\/p>\n
\"It's more effective. People get my point, although it
\nrequires more energy,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As in other party campaigns, Sarwono's indoor campaign was
\nalso highlighted by a dangdut performance. Clad in flashy
\ncostumes, two female singers managed to raise some of the
\naudience to dance the poco-poco.<\/p>\n
Sarwono's campaign stood apart from the usual, however, as it
\nalso provided an educational expo on water quality, alternative
\neducation and HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
Sarwono had invited a research laboratory and several non-
\ngovernmental institutions to educate the people on the issues.<\/p>\n
\"Don't forget to ask them (non-governmental orgainzation
\nactivists), gain some knowledge,\" Sarwono told attendees before
\ndeparting to a West Jakarta venue for another campaign.<\/p>\n
Yulianti, a resident of Kemang, told The Jakarta Post that she
\nhad come to the campaign to support Sarwono.<\/p>\n
\"He is a good man. He often visits us to talk,\" she said,
\nstressing that she did not come for \"honorariums\" or a free meal.<\/p>\n
A taxi driver from the Kosti taxi company, said he trusted
\nSarwono, who heard the voice of the poor.<\/p>\n
\"He is a former minister, but he didn't mind eating in a
\nwarteg with us taxi drivers,\" he said proudly, referring to a
\nsmall, street-side food stall.<\/p>\n
Sarwono served as environment minister during the New Order
\nregime and was later appointed as minister of fisheries and
\nmaritime affairs under the government of president Abdurrahman
\n\"Gus Dur\" Wahid.<\/p>\n
Leonardo Renyut, a member of Sarwono's campaign team, said the
\ncandidate had been making frequent visits to kampongs in the city
\nto talk directly to the people since two years ago.<\/p>\n
\"It's not something new for him. He has done so for many
\nyears, since he was a minister,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sarwono-introduces-interactive-campaign-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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