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.