Lampung paper brings election candidates together

Oyos Saroso HN, The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung

The Lampung Post editorial room was a lively place as people bustled about setting out snacks. The oldest daily in Lampung was preparing to host a discussion with the candidates of the upcoming Bandarlampung mayoral election.

When the candidates arrived, they were all seated around a round table with the members of their campaign teams. The seating arrangements helped put the candidates on an equal footing and made them seem less like rivals.

The discussion, also attended by a number of political observers, was jointly organized by the Lampung Post and the Afkar Circle -- a discussion group of young intellectuals.

The mayoral candidates attending the discussion were Eddy Sutrisno, nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and Nuril hakim (Democratic Party).

Also at the event were deputy mayoral candidates, including Kuswandi, nominated by the National Mandate Party and the United Development Party, Zamzani Yasin (Nuril Hakim's running mate), Tarwo Kurnarno (National Awakening Party and an alliance of smaller parties) and Zainal Iskandar (Prosperous Justice Party).

Only the mayoral candidate from the Golkar Party, Sjachrazad Z.P., did not attend the discussion and did not sent a representative in his place.

Normally competing against each other for votes, the candidates sat together and generously praised one another. Not a hint of competition. Jokes were told and the audience got caught up in the high spirits. Terms of address like adinda (younger sibling), kakanda (elder sibling) and mas (elder brother) were used freely by the candidates.

"Mas (elder brother) Eddy is my senior. We are like family. I am his neighbor and the beloved Mas Eddy is my friend. Mas Kuswandi, Pak Tarwo and Pak Zainal are my friends, too. We often see each other and even dine together," Nuril said.

Nuril's praise elicited a smile from Eddy, an educator in Lampung.

After the mutual flattery the candidates outlined their visions and platforms, before jointly agreeing to work for a peaceful election and to avoid negative campaigning.

Five regions in Lampung -- the municipalities of Bandarlampung and Metro, and the regencies of South Lampung, East Lampung and Way Kanan -- will hold direct elections on June 27. Central Lampung regency will hold its election in September or October, after the current regent's term ends in September.

The Metro mayoral candidates attended an earlier dialog organized by the Lampung Post and the Afkar Circle, and also pledged to work for a peaceful election. Metro is a small town about 150 kilometers north of Bandarlampung with a majority ethnic Javanese population.

This earlier discussion was attended by mayoral candidates Lukman Hakim-Djohan, nominated by five parties, including the National Mandate Party, Zakaria Ahmad-Dariyus (the National Awakening Party and the Prosperous Justice Party), Mozes Herman (the Democratic Party and three smaller parties) and Somad Muryadi-Sukisno Santa (the Golkar Party).

Many were surprised that the candidates agreed to attend the event, given the often hostile tone of the election campaign.

Former Metro mayor Mozes Herman and former Metro deputy mayor Lukman Hakim are engaged in a heated rivalry and have verbally slammed each other on several occasions.

"Whoever is elected, I am sure he will improve Metro. I cannot say who is the better candidate. . Whatever the result, it is the choice of the people," Mozes said.

Zakaria Ahmad said he was pleased with the results of the forum; it gave the candidates the opportunity to sit down together.

"Although we all live in a small town, we find it hard to meet, especially to sit down together and talk about Metro's future," said Zakaria.

There are 90,782 eligible voters in Metro spread out over five districts and 22 villages. Election organizers will set up 328 polling stations for the vote.

The head of the Lampung Post's research department, Heri Wardoyo, said these types of forums would be organized regularly to prevent any conflict ahead of and during the elections.

"We have not looked for any sponsors for the events. This is our duty to provide a political education for the people," he said.

A political observer and activist at the Lampung Media Center, Jauhari M. Zailani, praised the local media for contributing to a better understanding of democracy and helping to prevent violence.

"We could see how the (candidates) gracefully took part in the discussion even though they were fiercely competing against each other before," said Jauhari.

He said the General Elections Commission was more involved in administrative issues, and the media could bridge the gap by promoting fair competition among the candidates.

"The KPU has not taken any concrete actions to prevent conflict, while the media has facilitated discussions for the candidates," he said.