Campaigners outshone by singers, rallies

Campaigners outshone by singers, rallies

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After almost two weeks, election campaigning nationwide is barely
living up to its name, instead resorting to dangdut performances
and street rallies to attract crowds.

Almost all of the 24 political parties contesting the April 5
legislative election have ignored the General Elections
Commission's appeal to emphasize dialog during the first two
weeks of indoor campaigning.

The Democratic Party used dangdut singers to lure about 1,000
people to a rally on Saturday at the Cengkareng Art Building on
Jl. Arimbi in West Jakarta.

The crowd, while waving photos of the party's possible
presidential candidate, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, danced near the
stage as two singers copied the "drill" dance made famous by Inul
Daratista. Among the songs performed was the popular but risque
Cucak Rowo.

One by one, the crowd left the hall when the politicians took
over the stage and began giving speeches outlining the strengths
of the party and Susilo.

The crowd did regroup when it was announced that another
dangdut singer was scheduled to perform.

Before the speeches were finished, hundreds of participants
were already outside on their motorcycles waiting for the street
rally to begin.

It was the same story at a gymnasium in Kelapa Gading, North
Jakarta, where hundreds of supporters of the Freedom Bull
National Party (PNBK) gathered to enjoy the dangdut and left to
get ready for the street rally before the speeches were over.

The United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK) also put on a
dangdut performance during its campaign rally in the Pola
building on Jl. Pegangsaan in Central Jakarta.

In a speech, party executive and legislative candidate Andi
Mallarangeng said the party would focus on creating a community-
based economy. He also said the party opposed too much spending
on overseas trips for government officials.

At a another campaign rally, the secretary-general of the New
Indonesia Alliance Party (PPIB), Sumitro, blamed the current
government for worsening corruption and unemployment, and for the
underfunding of education.

Former transmigration minister Siswono Yudhohusodo,
campaigning for the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI),
said the country's unemployment problems and its dependence on
foreign loans were critical issues that needed to be addressed.

In Banda Aceh, Golkar Party leader Akbar Tandjung asserted his
party would not discuss forming a coalition with other parties
until after the results of the April 5 legislative election were
announced.

He, however, said a coalition was necessary to create a strong
and effective government.

In Semarang, supporters of the Regional United Party (PPD)
marched along the main road of this Central Java town on their
way to the Ngeringan Grobogan soccer field to attend a rally.

The party's leader, Oesman Sapta, said the party would fight
for the full implementation of regional autonomy.

In Barito Kuala, South Kalimantan, the secretary-general of
the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Soetjipto,
promised the party would take the lead in preventing a revival of
the New Order.

"The PDI-P is consistent in its commitment to reform and will
fight anyone or group that wishes to restore the New Order
regime," he told the gathering of more than 5,000 people.