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.