JP/4/SPEAKUP

JP/4/SPEAKUP

'How can people be excited about campaigns?'

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Evie, 34, works at a private company on Jl. Sudirman, Central
Jakarta, and lives with her husband in Tangerang.

General election? Oh please, not again.

I don't mind voting, and I've never been absent any way.

Honestly, I can't stand the campaigning. First, the mass
campaign on the street will certainly create traffic jams all
across the city. Everybody will be late to work, to school or
anywhere else. Second, party supporters always break traffic
regulations, believe me! Third, it will likely degenerate into
clashes or riots or brawls.

I can't understand how people can be enthusiastic about
joining the campaign.

Lukito, 20, is a student at a private university in West Jakarta.
He lives with his family in Pulo Mas, East Jakarta.

I've never voted before. I'm rather excited, although I'm not
sure what party I'd vote for. All usually give empty promises,
don't they?

But I'll find out about their legislative candidates. I'm
interested in their track records, because almost all of our
current legislators are pathetic.

Dessy Mulasari, 27, is a model at Bin's House.

I hope that the situation in Jakarta and elsewhere will remain
calm and peaceful during the three-week campaign period, so
people can continue their daily activities without being
bothered.

I am eager to see whether elected leaders can lead us to a
better situation, rather than worsening it, no matter who they
are or what parties they belong to, because I realize that many
people have lost their trust in politics.

I'll exercise my political rights -- because it is my right as
a citizen of this country -- but I need more time to decide as to
which political parties or politicians to support. Let's just see
their platform.

I guess people have to exercise their political rights because
our country might get even worse if we are apathetic.

Yustisiari, 34, is a legal consultant at the Soemadipradja and
Thaher law firm.

I hope the general elections can improve our situation because
such political events will affect my business, with some clients
postponing their visit to Indonesia. We've even had to finish
projects before March 11.

But no matter how expensive the elections may be, I hope its
results will be satisfying, because I'm tired of being a citizen
of the worst country in the world.

Of course, this is just a business perspective, because I know
that the price of democracy is too expensive.

There are three parties that I'm considering, but I'm still
waiting to see whether they can provide good programs to help our
country recover.

Rudi W, 42, is a taxi driver who lives in Depok and is chairman
of a local election organizing committee.

At first, I feared that the campaign could turn violent if
several parties were allowed to conduct a political campaign at
the same place and time.

I know there are political party with die-hard supporters who
are willing to do anything for their leader's reelection -- it
only added to my fear.

But my fear subsided after I saw that the day before the
campaign period, all things would go normally. From conversations
I had with my passengers, colleagues and relatives, I've
concluded that not many people are enthusiastic about the general
elections. Even the parties' supporters are tired of bickering.