Election campaign

Election campaign

All Indonesian people have been feeling the atmosphere and seeing the campaigning activities going on for some time now. It is amazing how big the turnout is for the campaign. One day, Jakarta turned green, the next day it was yellow and then was followed by a shy red.

I feel that people understand the importance of the campaign, because the election contenders have a chance to "sell" their programs, their ideals and their aspirations. The man in the street must be very happy listening to speeches from every party campaigner who promises to improve living standards of people, eradicate corruption and bring about peace and prosperity.

However, what we see is sometimes frightening. Large convoys of motorcycles making all kinds of noise, drivers wearing no safety helmets, campaigners sitting on top of trucks and buses disregarding safety precautions, blocking roads and creating traffic jams, become daily sights.

This, I think, is not the right way of running a campaign to win votes from the people. Instead, they should observe traffic rules and all existing campaign regulations issued by the government. They should try to avoid creating disturbance as much as possible in order to win people's support.

In fact, the government has been trying hard to keep life as normal as possible. They try to maintain law and order during the campaign period, so that everybody can feel safe and businesses can continue unabated. It is quite evident that government and its law enforcement agencies face trouble, which sometimes results in physical conflicts and death.

We may wonder what will happen when these election participants come into power. Even now while soliciting people's support, without formal power behind them, their actions are uncontrollable and violations are rampant.

When all campaign regulations are agreed upon and observed by all participants, law and order can surely be maintained. Let us not complicate matters for the government to establish peace and order. Let us campaign the way a politically mature nation does.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta