Gaining popularity a tough task for would-be governors

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Manokwari

A mother in her 30s jostled in the crowd, trying to get to the front. While she was scrambling to the front, she asked her colleague: "Where is Yorris?"

Her colleague, also a mother in her 30s, pointed at governor hopeful Yorris Raweyai standing on a stage erected at Krida Tama field, Manokwari, West Irian Jaya province.

"Ooh, I see. It is my first time to see him," said the first mother.

Not only that mother, but most residents in the province do not know Yorris, a businessman and a national youth figure who has been nominated by Golkar Party in the race for the governorship in West Irian Jaya province. The direct election to elect the West Irian Jaya governor will be held on July 28. "I have only seen his face on television or on campaign banners, but I don't know his track record," said Sadiah, 24, a street vendor from Cilacap, Central Java province.

Saidah has been living in Manokwari since 1981.

Not only Yorris, but candidates Abraham Atururi, the former acting governor of West Irian Jaya and Dortheus Asmuruf, the former acting secretary of the province, are also relatively unknown.

If the public do not know the candidates, then how will they vote? Jumriah, 35, said that she would vote for the candidates based on the programs that they convey during the election campaign.

But, still, for candidates, being popular is important in order to be assured of votes.

For this reason, Yorris has been working hard in recent days to reach out to people, and raise his popularity.

However, according to Yorris, gaining popularity in Papua is a difficult business where a good number of people are still illiterate and television and radio coverage is limited. Many Papuans also still live in remote areas, making it difficult for the candidates to reach them.

"Although it is tough, I have been visiting remote areas and cities in West Papua over the past few days in order for people to get to know me in person. So far, they have only heard about me on television or in the newspapers, but they have never met me in person," said Yorris.

Being known to the people is important, but people do not necessarily vote for candidates based on popularity. People have become much more astute. People will vote for leaders who can deliver promises of prosperity and better living conditions for the people.

"Only candidates who listen to the people will be elected in the election. People need change," said farmer Sadjudin.

The direct gubernatorial election in West Irian Jaya will be participated in by 413,436 eligible voters out of 628,615 resident of West Irian Jaya province, which was established as a new province in 2002. Whoever is elected in the July 28 election will be the first governor of West Irian Jaya.

The province has eight regencies and one municipality, namely Sorong municipality.

The voters will cast votes in 1,865 polling stations spread across the province.