Parties struggle to engage voters in policy dialog
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Idealists and officials have spoken for years of the benefits of "dialog campaigns" rather than rowdy rallies and convoys, but on the fifth day of campaigning, political parties were still struggling to get people interested in any attempt at dialog.
The legislative campaign kicked off on Thursday, however, on Monday it was already clear that serious dialogs, intended to inform the electorate of the platforms of political parties, were hardly crowd pleasers. Much more attractive were giveaways and free entertainment.
Even the issue of jobs, which was raised by noted economist Dradjad H. Wibowo on behalf of the National Mandate Party (PAN), barely attracted the interest of the crowd.
Addressing some 300 supporters at the Youth Center in East Jakarta, Dradjat promised that PAN would allocate a certain portion of the state budget for programs to reduce unemployment. There are currently about 40 million unemployed people in the country.
After 10 minutes, the economist asked the audience to sing, perhaps aware that it would be difficult to engage them for much longer.
Separately in Bulungan sports hall in South Jakarta PAN legislative candidate Sjaifoel Tanjung climbed the stage and asked supporters: "Why are you here?" To his disappointment, the united reply was: "Don't know".
Tanjung informed them that their attendance was driven by similar hopes, namely the creation of better political and economic conditions.
PAN supporter Yayan, 22, of Ulujami in South Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post that he was not really interested in legislative candidates.
"I came here simply to have fun," said Yayan who, along with his friends, was expecting a free lunch and transport compensation.
In Central Jakarta, the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) distributed at least 2,500 packages of staple food items to poor people living in the vicinity of Jl. Raden Saleh, Central Jakarta. The party's vote-getter is businesswoman Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, a daughter of former president Soeharto who is popular for her programs for the poor.
The packages, bear party symbols and include rice, instant noodles and milk powder.
The Indonesian Nahdlatul Community Party (PPNUI) campaigned for the first time today in all of the capital's five municipalities.
Over 500 PPNUI supporters in white and green T-shirts gathered at the Kali Deres sports building on Jl. Pela Utara, West Jakarta, to listen to the speeches of the party's three legislative candidates.
The speakers exploited the failures of the current government to overcome poverty, reduce the cost of education and stabilize the prices of staple commodities.
"We have been cheated by large political parties. They promised to improve our welfare in their campaigns, but the condition now contradict their promises," said Bunyamin H.N., a candidate for the Jakarta City Council.
Two other speakers -- Yahya Muhammad, a candidate for the House of Representatives and Hasanuddin Fauzi, another candidate for the City Council -- made similar speeches and called for Muslims to unite.
None of the campaigners took the time to explain their platforms. The meeting was also void of dialog with the audience, many of whom left before the end of the speeches.
Tragedy has already marred the campaign period.
North Sulawesi's chairman of the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) Toar Palilingan disclosed that two people were killed while campaigning.
Roland Sambuari and Siun Mokobombong, respectively supporters of Golkar and the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKP Indonesia), were electrocuted while installing party flags, he said.
In Pedan district, Klaten, Central Java, PAN supporter Suwardi died after being assaulted by Budi Widodo alias Mehong, whom locals claim is a thug and also a supporter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
Klaten police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Arief Dharmawan said it was only a brawl between individuals.