Despite frustration, Papuans to still go to the polls

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua

Political campaigning for the 2004 general elections in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, is apparently not as lively as before, in 1999, as can be seen from the reduction in the number of those attending outdoor campaign rallies.

In the previous elections, campaign participants could reach tens of thousands, while the number has now dwindled to a maximum of only about 10,000, as has occurred at campaign rallies by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Golkar Party.

Several locals told The Jakarta Post that people were reluctant to participate in the campaigns because they were generally tired of listening to promises by politicians, which they never fulfilled.

"The campaigners simply make attractive promises, but once elected, ignore them. Right now, people need real action. Can promises be eaten?" said Salomina, 32, a palm nut vendor in Ampera market, Jayapura.

Udin, 25, a motorcycle-taxi driver, was also resentful, saying that he still participated in the campaigns of each political party that invited him along because he would receive transportation expenses and T-shirts, as well as food packages.

"It's a good idea to participate in the campaign rallies, but it doesn't mean that I'll vote for them. I'll make up my mind in the polling booth," he said casually.

The disappointment expressed by both Salomina and Udin could also echo the sentiment of Papuans at the moment, but this kind of attitude would only cause them to lose out ultimately, according to the Papuan Traditional Council.

Head of the council Thom Beanal called on everyone in Papua to fight for their political beliefs by voting in the upcoming election. He said that people must involve themselves in the political process to determine who was capable and had the right to represent them in legislative bodies. From the elections in 1971 to those in 1999, he said, Papuans were only perceived as political objects, not sovereign and independent people as endorsed in the 1945 Constitution.

Once every five years, political parties made efforts to approach people with a variety of promises and persuasive arguments, but as soon as the election was over and legislative seats obtained, the people were ignored.

"They are elected because people vote for them, but once elected, they tend to forget people," Thom asserted.

The Papua Traditional Council has recommended several candidates for the House of Representatives, provincial legislature, regental and municipal legislative council and the Regional Representatives Council as customary sons who listen to the people, are committed and show it in fighting for the basic rights of the traditional people of Papua, he said.

Budi Setyanto, director of the Institute for Civil Strengthening (ICS) in Jayapura, said that Papuans had now become more critical of the promises offered by politicians; even though they were still involved in campaigns, they would vote for only the party that they considered could fight for the people's interests.

Papuans feel that they are not being forced to vote this time but are voting on the basis of their own consciousness -- as a way of improving their fate, which has long been ignored. "By participating in the election, they are aware that they are involved in determining the government and leaders that will bring them a more prosperous life," Budi said.

Budi said that Papuans were now aware that the fight for independence would face a long and winding road. The election would provide them with the possibility of realizing their dreams, including raising the quality of their standard of living.