'I'd rather watch soccer matches'

'I'd rather watch soccer matches'

The media is full of ad campaigns and debate among presidential
candidates ahead of the July 5 direct presidential election, the
first in the country's history. However, many political analysts
have bemoaned the lack of strong, charismatic candidates. The
Jakarta Post asked some Jakartans how they singled out their
candidates.

Anto, 32, is a es dawet ayu (traditional iced drink) vendor at
Pasar Rumput, South Jakarta. He lives close to the Jl. Surabaya
flea market in Central Jakarta:

The upcoming presidential election is unlike the previous
ones, where we had practically no voice at all. We only got to
choose parties, which would then choose our legislative members,
who would then choose the president. In the end, the president
was whoever was is in line with the party that won the
legislative election.

With today's direct election, we can choose a different
president, if it turns out that we don't like the party that won
the legislative election.

As for whom I will vote in the upcoming presidential election,
let me just reiterate a popular campaign slogan: "Let the people
choose." But I think I'll go with the candidate with the most
rhythmical initials, if you know who I mean.

Soleh, 29, is a railway mechanic at Manggarai railway station,
East Jakarta. He lives with his friends in a rented house in
Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta:

I reckon the presidential election will be simpler than the
previous legislative elections because we will have only five
candidates to choose between.

The previous legislative election was confusing for me,
because I had to choose among a list of legislative candidates of
whom I'd never even heard before, apart from the 24 parties. Back
then, I took the easy way out and just voted for the party.

But I think the upcoming presidential election will also be
confusing because the candidates' campaigns have not been as
fervent and lively as during the legislative elections, so I
don't know them well enough.

I know the candidates are also launching their campaigns via
television, but I'd rather watch football matches instead.

So I don't know yet; I'll just have to see later whom I will
choose for president. Or maybe I'll just vote for the most
popular candidate I know of.

--The Jakarta Post