Money can buy supporters

Money can buy supporters

Money can buy just about anything in this country, including a
political campaign supporter.

Sugiyono, a resident of Setia Budi, Central Jakarta, said he
had agreed to participate in Thursday's campaign for the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) only after a
party activist gave him Rp 40,000 (US$4.70).

"Actually, I am not going to vote for PDI-P. I just want its
money, that's all. I am willing to accept money from other
parties, too, to help in their campaign," said Sugiyono, who
sells fried rice at night for a living.

He said that aside from the money, the activist had also given
him a PDI-P T-shirt and a voucher for a free lunch at a nearby
food stall.

When asked as to his preferred party, Sugiyono said: "It is
confidential... I am not going to pick PDI-P nor Megawati
Soekarnoputri, that's for sure."

Other parties, such as the Golkar Party and the Reform Star
Party (PBR), had also given out cash to "hire" supporters for
their campaigns.

Apparently, Golkar had paid Rp 50,000 per person, while PBR
paid Rp 40,000. -- JP