A newcomers' debut

A newcomers' debut

The election campaign season ends tomorrow (Thursday). Some 24 parties have promoted themselves and tried to gain public support, and what are the results? The people will decide on April 5.

During the campaign period, we actually saw some "clashes" between two groups -- the "big" and the "small" groups. The first includes the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI- P), Golongan Karya Party, National Mandate Party (PAN), National Awakening Party (PKB), United Development Party (PPP), and Crescent Star Party (PBB).

The second covers four newcomers which deserve close attention -- the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Reform Star Party (PBR), Democrat Party and the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB).

PKS is not selling any figure, but the image that it is clean and it cares. The other three parties are selling figures -- former senior security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (Democrat Party), noted preacher Zainuddin MZ (Reform Star Party), the eldest daughter of former president Soeharto, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, popularly known as Tutut (PKPB).

Yudhoyono is the magnet of the Democrat Party, while Zainuddin knows how to use his "preaching style" to get support. However, the most remarkable is the appearance of Tutut.

With the broad network and popularity of Tutut and her father, PKPB is a potential "dark horse". Tutut even has a good chance to contest the presidency, side by side with Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien Rais, Yudhoyono and others.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta

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