General elections before and after the New Order regime

By Carl Chairul

JAKARTA (Antara): Marajo, an elderly sidewalk barber at Jatinegara market in East Jakarta, can still sing the theme song of the 1955 general election.

"What nostalgia!" he sighed longingly. "I still can feel the excitement of campaigning on the streets even though I was not eligible to vote then."

The time that elapsed between the dissemination of the theme song and the actual elections had people going through a very long period of waiting. According to Herbert Feith, in his book, Pemilihan Umum 1955 (1955 General Election), the electoral law was endorsed on April 4, 1953.

However, believing that voting would soon commence, political parties started campaigning practically straight away. Election day turned out to be Sept. 29, 1955.

"So, the campaign period was more than two years," recalled Marajo. "Along the way, the theme song was promoted through radio, schools and the cinema. That's why, after 44 years, it still sticks in the minds of people who experienced the event."

When asked his opinion of elections held in this country, he said the one in 1955 was the best.

"It was a real party of democracy. Subsequent ones were just a duty we were forced to perform. For the last four elections, we were bulldozed into voting for a certain party, but where did it take us? Even though that party won all the elections, I'm still the same old barber having difficulty making ends meet."

The recollection of Indonesia's first general election also brought fond memories to Rustam, a retired government official who was also a member of the election committee in South Sulawesi.

"There are similarities between the 1955 and the 1999 elections. Both involve a large number of political parties with some degree of democracy."

Opening his filing cabinet, he produced an old ballot paper that he managed to keep as a memento. The color of the 45-year- old paper is now a dark brownish color, but it is still legible.

"This is the ballot for the local election," he said, adding that he could not remember whether it was for the first or the second stage of the elections.

The general election was held in two stages, the first stage for parliament was held on Sept. 29, 1955 and the second, which was for Konstituante (the constituent assembly), was held on Dec. 15 in the same year. But the year printed on the ballot is 1954.

"I'm not sure why. Maybe it was meant for the postponed elections," he said doubtfully. "But I'm certain this is the one used for the 1955 elections."

Rustam's explanation makes sense. The elections were postponed many times due to political struggles among top-level government officials.

"Well, just like the way it is now, political struggles prior to the 1955 elections took place at all levels. But it didn't lead to open conflict or physical fights. Those who fought in the political forum could be best friends in their personal lives," recalled Rustam.

Pedaling rivals

He then reminisced about two famous politicians who were deadly enemies in the political forum but amicably rode home on the same bicycle after a fiery argument in parliament.

"Imagine! A political leader pedaling a bicycle with his rival sitting on the back!" he mused, toying with an idea to get Akbar Tandjung and Megawati Soekarnoputri traveling in the same car to the House of Representatives.

"Couldn't they afford a car?"

"No, sir! A car was an extraordinary luxury back then. Besides, those who went into politics did not seek luxurious facilities the way modern-day politicians do. Neither did they demand handsome remuneration. When they said they wanted to fight for people, they did."

When asked about the number of parties participating in the 1955 elections, neither Rustam nor his wife could give the exact number.

"I think there were hundreds of them, because there was no limitation as to what and who could participate. You could even form a group with your own name to run in the elections. That's why the lists of participants are different from one area to another."

The ballot he showed confirms his claim. Besides the names of big parties, there are also individual's names such as La Ode Hadi, La Ode Idrus and Friends, Kaligis and Friends, etc.

"That's only for South and Southwest Sulawesi. Imagine how many participants there were altogether," added Rustam.

"Now we have only 48 parties, and I'm sure it will run smoothly," said his wife who was busy sewing an outfit for herself to wear at a party campaign.

Mrs. Rustam was excited about hitting the streets to campaign. "Party time!" she cooed, showing off her new dress.

"For me, this will be the first direct, clean, fair and free elections. You don't have to make it sound scary. Look at what is happening now. The campaign has been going on for a week and nothing terrible has happened."

Campaign start

Some political parties started campaigning before they were supposed to, claiming they were only holding meet-the-cadres sessions, platform promotions or party declarations.

But they involved hundreds of thousands of people who waved flags and unfurled banners. Not to mention well-known singers and comedians. Some parties with money to spend have distributed sembako (nine basic commodities) to the needy, reasoning that they only do it to be charitable.

Rumor has it that the "charitable" acts performed by certain political parties were funded with money from the social safety net program, a government scheme for the needy.

Rustam and his wife are among the few who believe the campaign will run smoothly without incident. Others are caught up in worry. Some even fled abroad or to a safer part of the country.

Bali is one of the most favored sanctuaries. A sales manager at an international hotel in Nusa Dua disclosed that his hotel was fully booked by long-staying guests for the duration of the campaign period.

Furthermore, some neighboring countries have promoted their cities as friendly places to go for security purposes.

"They call it a party of democracy. But look at what people are doing. They are preparing for doomsday," complained a taxi driver upon seeing the construction of tall fences with barbed wire at several shopping complexes and office buildings.

He claimed that his income had dropped 40 percent during the campaign period.

"We can't be too careful," said an owner of a upmarket restaurant. "I have just finished restoring this building after the looting and burning (in the May 1998 unrest), and I can't afford to let it be destroyed again.

"You don't know what political campaigners may do. Even before the campaign, they started fighting each other."

Apparently the May 1998 riots, during which security personnel were nowhere in sight and most people were left unprotected, left people in trauma. They no longer trust the government's promise of necessary security protection during the campaign period.

Some people claim that a large number of Indonesians have gone to neighboring countries in anticipation of electoral unrest, but the authorities deny this. Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong are said to be peaceful hideouts for those who want to stay away from Indonesia.

The exodus is regarded by many as a lack of loyalty. "In times of trouble, we should stand up to defend our community, not escape for individual security reasons," commented a government official.

Now that the campaign has proven to be not as bad as some feared, a lot of people who had planned to escape have canceled their trips, causing some travel agents to suffer big losses.

"You see?" a security personnel bragged while standing among a crowd of campaigners. "We can provide security to everybody providing that all parties keep on track."

"It's amazing," said a social observer. "Even longtime rivals are now holding hands in peace. And they campaign in such extravaganza."

Extravaganza is a perfect word to express the way the campaign is going. Political party leaders do not ride bicycles any longer. Instead, they fly by helicopter to show off.

One rich party spent no less than Rp 1 trillion just to produce flags and banners.