Can 'new faces' keeps promises?

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta

Political analysts have warned Jakarta city councillors-elect not to betray their constituents, stressing that people's attitudes would change very quickly should they feel double-crossed.

Smita Notosusanto of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) told The Jakarta Post on Thursday that the many new faces that would grace the council were a strong indication that Jakartans had set high hopes on the council.

However, she warned that hope and trust would change to antipathy if the new councillors didn't keep the promises they made during the campaign period.

"The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), for example, underlines that it is caring and free of corruption. The public will monitor them. I find such a slogan hard to believe until it is proved," Smita said.

Out of the 85 incumbent councillors, only 15 were reelected by the public to set up the 75-member city council.

Political analyst with the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) Indria Samego, said voting for a politician did not mean that you were handing over a blank check.

He said the emergence of new politicians was evidence of public dissatisfaction over the incumbent councillors' performances, as they had not addressed crucial issues, such as widespread corruption, poverty and injustice.

The PKS gained more votes this year based on the performance of its four councillors, Indria said.

He emphasized that the 16 councillors-elect from the Democratic Party were yet to prove themselves.

"We still don't know if they were elected on their own merits, or because of the popularity of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Time will tell," he told the Post.

The April 5 legislative election result showed the PKS will dominate the council with 18 seats; followed by the Democratic Party, 16 seats; the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), 11 seats; and Golkar Party, seven seats.

Currently, the PDI-P dominates the council with 30 seats; followed by National Mandate Party (PAN), 13 seats: United Development Party (PPP), 12 seats; and Golkar with eight seats. Meanwhile, PKS currently holds four seats.

Smita said the large shift of seats from old political parties to new ones showed the politic condition in the city was dynamic.

She added that intensive public control over representatives in Jakarta -- councillors and legislators -- was due to several reasons:

First, Jakarta, which is relatively small compared to other provinces, allows more direct contact between councillors and the public. Second, Jakartans are more well-informed than others. Third, Jakartans generally have a higher level of education than people of other regions.

Indria added that if politicians wanted long and successful careers, they must first put in a good performance.

I-box Seats at the City Council .TB3.50" 4.50" 5.50" Party upcoming current

tenure tenure Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) 18 4 Democratic Party 16 - Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) 11 30 Golkar Party 7 8 United Development Party (PPP) 6 13 National Mandate Party (PAN) 6 12 National Awakening Party (PKB) 4 3 Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) 4 - Reform Star Party (PBR) 3 - Others