DPD candidates struggle to win crowd

DPD candidates struggle to win crowd

M. Taufiqurrahman and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta

During the 22-day legislative election campaign period, which
will end on April 1, the contesting 24 political parties have
dominated the wooing of voters, leaving Regional Representatives
Council (DPD) candidates with the challenge of convincing the
public about the prominent role of the soon-to-be established
institution.

Each of the country's 32 provinces will be represented by four
DPD members.

The parties are vying to garner as many seats as possible in
the 550-member House of Representatives (DPR) and the
Provincial/Regional Legislative Council (DPRD). Meanwhile, DPD
candidates are campaigning independently of party representation,
as they will be elected directly.

DPD aspirants have incorporated entertainment and souvenirs
into their campaigns just to attract people to listen to their
short speeches. Dangdut musical performances and campaign
giveaways have become commonplace since campaigning kicked off on
March 11.

DPD candidate Agus Rachman provided both music and gifts, but
was unable to attract a sizable crowd to a soccer field in
Mampang, South Jakarta, where he delivered his speech in between
dangdut songs and lucky draws.

Only dozens of Agus' supporters, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned
with his face, came to the field and paid attention to his
political platform and programs.

The campaign was still rolling when those assembled started to
leave the venue to get out of the scorching afternoon sun.

"The campaign is not yet over, so I beg you, please, not to
leave the venue. Stay here and enjoy the music that has been
provided by our beloved candidate, Agus Rachman," a dismayed
emcee addressed the crowd, who came mostly from the Betawi
Fraternity Forum (Forkabi), representing native Jakartans.

Contrary to Agus' experience, DPD candidate Mooryati Soedibyo,
owner of cosmetics and skin care giant PT Mustika Ratu, attracted
6,000 supporters to her campaign at the Senayan Tennis Indoor
stadium, Central Jakarta.

The 75-year-old candidate spoke about women's empowerment and
other related issues, which received a warm welcome from the
audience, who frequently yelled in gleeful support of her.

"Women have to be empowered and they have to be considered
equal to men," she said, flanked by several finalists of the Miss
Indonesia pageant.

No information was available as to whether Mooryati had asked
Mustika Ratu employees to attend her campaign.

Mooryati is among the few Jakarta DPD candidates who have a
solid campaign budget to be able to afford television
advertisement spots.

Without party backing, most DPD candidates are working with an
extremely limited budget and are resorting to means other than
public forums and print or electronic ads to get their messages
out.

DPD candidate Gersonius Saragih opted only to distribute
fliers and brochures bearing his face and candidacy number in
strategic locations around the capital, while Yetty W. Mualim
sent out 10 campaign workers to distribute notebooks to high
school and university students.

Taking an entirely different approach, candidate Maemunah
Chairan initiated a community welfare project in West Semper,
North Jakarta, as part of her campaign.