First day of campaign receives lackluster reception

First day of campaign receives lackluster reception

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Compared to the candid public reception they received during the
1999 general elections, it will be much tougher for the 24
political parties contesting the April 5 legislative election to
win voters to believe their campaign programs.

This was clearly indicated by the attitudes of people toward
participants in the Jakarta parade and political rallies across
the country that marked the first day of the 22-day campaign
period.

The majority of those same politicians who promised prosperity
and justice for the country in 1999 are expected to deliver the
same promises again.

Many people along Jl. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Gatot Subroto
and other major thoroughfares in the capital seemed indifferent
to parade participants as they waved at the crowds or tried to
greet onlookers.

On Thursday morning, Jakarta governor Sutiyoso saw off the
parade at City Hall, which included representatives and
supporters of the political parties as well as the 38 candidates
for the Jakarta Regional Representatives Council.

No enthusiastic crowd of onlookers lined the main downtown
street to clap and cheer on as the parties' supporters gestured
and shouted out their party slogans, unlike the 1999 campaigns.

"What else can they say, except that they are the right
parties to lead this country," an Atmajaya University lecturer
said wanly.

A group of onlookers on Jl. Sudirman were dismayed as
campaigners only gave away stickers, flyers and pamphlets,
accompanied by the blaring sound of dangdut songs.

When a pick-up truck delivering half a dozen new motorcycles
passed by, the crowd told the campaigners: "If your party gave us
motorcycles, we would surely vote for you."

Traffic in the capital and in several major cities were also
lighter than the expected jams, as many had decided to stay at
home in case the rallies turned violent.

In the meantime, no all-out attempts were made by parties to
lure voters by the sheer volume of party supporters and
activists.

Although the parade in the capital ended peacefully, most
parties had violated campaign regulations, particularly traffic
regulations.

Jupri, a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver who was waiting in
front of the Aetna Building on Jl. Sudirman, said he refused to
participate in the campaign this time because he had to make a
living, and he would only risk his own safety by campaigning.

"This campaign is not an appropriate tool to lure voters," he
said.

In Medan, North Sumatra, parties had yet to deploy supporters
for the first day of streetside campaigns, as they had not yet
finished placing party paraphernalia in every corner of the city.
They are set to hit the streets on Friday.

Party supporters in Manado, North Sulawesi, were disappointed
on the first campaign day because of heavy rains, and the planned
joint parade was called off.

In Samarinda, East Kalimantan, no street parades were visible,
as only minor parties were scheduled for the first campaign day,
such as the Marhaenisme Indonesian National Party (PNI
Marhaenisme), the Social Democratic Labor Party (PBSD), the
Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Democratic Party (Partai
Demokrat).

In Yogyakarta, several parties had decided to opt out of a
street campaign, as they had inadequate funds to rally
supporters.

The calm situation was also prevalent in Mataram, Nusa
Tenggara Barat, as parties had not amassed supporters for a
parade.

In conflict-torn Ambon, Maluku, the day was also relatively
calm, despite a small incident involving the supporters of the
Pioneers Party (Partai Pelopor) and the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

The two groups became embroiled in a debate over PDI-P
supporters who had brought motorcycles to the parade, which was
prohibited by the local General Elections Commission.

In Jayapura, Papua, supporters of PNI Marhaenisme and the
National Awakening Party (PKB) were nearly involved in a brawl
over campaign spots at the Bintang Mas Arena. Police were quick
to disperse the two supporters.