Party banners flag passerby with humor in history
Party banners flag passerby with humor in history
Text and photos by Mulkan Salmona
JAKARTA (JP): The general election is fast approaching and
political parties are busy promoting themselves. Posters,
banners, flags and other party attributes are found in strategic
places in both urban and rural areas.
The coming general election will be different from previous
elections here, especially as there are now 48 parties -- not
three as was the case during the New Order era. With so many
parties in the running, it is likely that most people do not know
the names of all of the parties contesting the polls.
Here, people can spot the parties' attributes in almost every
corner of the city. Some are stuck to trees along streets or tied
to high-voltage electricity towers. Other attributes fly from
building roofs. And they are colorful: red, blue, green, yellow,
white and black. Not all parties, however, have taken part in the
war of the attributes. Maybe they question its effectiveness in
winning people's hearts, or maybe because they do not have enough
funds.
One thing that might annoy the public is that some attributes
are installed inappropriately, so that they scar the city's
landscape.
Yet, some banners are quite effective in drawing attention.
Not because of the design, but because of the messages they
carry. Some carry propaganda, which might make one fed up, but
others have the ability to make one smile with a humorous
message.
In some cases, knowledge of local history or culture is
required in order to understand a message better.
One example is a banner of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, which
says: Cut Nya' Dhien Pahlawanku, Megawati Presidenku, Jangan
phobi wanita jadi presiden, Cut Nya' Dhien is My Hero, Megawati
My President. Don't be Phobic (if) a woman becomes president.
Cut Nya' Dhien is a national heroine from Aceh who fought
against the Dutch colonial government.
Passing Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, one can see a giant
banner of the United Development Party (PPP) saying: Si Rini
pengen ikut Pemilu, dia bingung pilih partai apa? Untungnya ada
P3, Inga-inga baramai-ramai mencoblos P3, Rini wants to join the
elections, she is confused which party to chose? Luckily there is
PPP. Remember, vote for P3.
The National Mandate Party (PAN) has a banner which reads:
Insya Allah PAN menang, gubernur DKI Jakarta putra Betawi asli,
God willing, PAN will win, the Jakarta governor will be
indigenous Betawi.