JP/4/C03

JP/4/C03

Despite being disappointed, Papuans still go to polls

Nethy Dharma Somba
The Jakarta Post
Jayapura, Papua

Political campaigning for the 2004 general elections in Jayapura,
the capital of Papua province, is apparently not as lively as
before, in 1999, as can be seen from the reduction in the number
of those attending outdoor campaign rallies.

In the previous elections, campaign participants could reach
tens of thousands, while the number has now dwindled to a maximum
of only about 10,000, as has occurred at campaign rallies by the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Golkar
Party.

Several locals told The Jakarta Post that people were
reluctant to participate in the campaigns because they were
generally tired of listening to promises by politicians, which
they never fulfilled.

"The campaigners simply make attractive promises, but once
elected, ignore them. Right now, people need real action. Can
promises be eaten?" said Salomina, 32, a palm nut vendor in
Ampera market, Jayapura.

Udin, 25, a motorcycle-taxi driver, was also resentful, saying
that he still participated in the campaigns of each political
party that invited him along because he would receive
transportation expenses and T-shirts, as well as food packages.

"It's a good idea to participate in the campaign rallies, but
it doesn't mean that I'll vote for them. I'll make up my mind in
the polling booth," he said casually.

The disappointment expressed by both Salomina and Udin could
also echo the sentiment of Papuans at the moment, but this kind
of attitude would only cause them to lose out ultimately,
according to the Papuan Traditional Council.

Head of the council Thom Beanal called on everyone in Papua to
fight for their political beliefs by voting in the upcoming
election. He said that people must involve themselves in the
political process to determine who was capable and had the right
to represent them in legislative bodies. From the elections in
1971 to those in 1999, he said, Papuans were only perceived as
political objects, not sovereign and independent people as
endorsed in the 1945 Constitution.

Once every five years, political parties made efforts to
approach people with a variety of promises and persuasive
arguments, but as soon as the election was over and legislative
seats obtained, the people were ignored.

"They are elected because people vote for them, but once
elected, they tend to forget people," Thom asserted.

The Papua Traditional Council has recommended several
candidates for the House of Representatives, provincial
legislature, regental and municipal legislative council and the
Regional Representatives Council as customary sons who listen to
the people, are committed and show it in fighting for the basic
rights of the traditional people of Papua, he said.

Budi Setyanto, director of the Institute for Civil
Strengthening (ICS) in Jayapura, said that Papuans had now become
more critical of the promises offered by politicians; even though
they were still involved in campaigns, they would vote for only
the party that they considered could fight for the people's
interests.

Papuans feel that they are not being forced to vote this time
but are voting on the basis of their own consciousness -- as a
way of improving their fate, which has long been ignored. "By
participating in the election, they are aware that they are
involved in determining the government and leaders that will
bring them a more prosperous life," Budi said.

Budi said that Papuans were now aware that the fight for
independence would face a long and winding road. The election
would provide them with the possibility of realizing their
dreams, including raising the quality of their standard of
living.