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.