Golkar lagging behind in cyber campaign

Recently several Jakarta dailies ran the news that the United Development Party (PPP) had started using the Internet for its election campaign. It seems PPP is pioneering the "Cyber Campaign."

How come Golkar was not the first party to use the Internet? They are financially, and in human resource terms, in a better position to do so. From this we have to deduce that Golkar's research section was not innovative enough to apply this technology.

This seems unsatisfactory when compared to its TV, radio and print media campaign. Nonetheless, cyber campaigning needs to be monitored. Uncensored messages are often delivered in a vulgar way and the internet will reach all corners of the globe very soon.

U.S. Vice President Al Gore was concerned about "Super Highway" technology four years ago, because it could forge social changes, behavior and the world's cultures. The PPP appears to be leading the with the use of the Internet in its campaign. Even though Golkar's chief hurriedly made a statement that the party was opening a home page to offer information about their campaign.

Admittedly, more preparation is needed before the Internet should be used as a campaign tool and the pros and cons considered. It can be likened to building infrastructure which takes a long time. Designing an on-line system or home page, would take at most a day. It only involves transforming printed information into a digital program.

MASRODIN

Semarang, Central Java