Party colors

Like most foreigners, we fled Jakarta during the last days of the election campaign. Concerned embassies had warned foreigners to stay at home or leave the city. So we did, and we had an enjoyable time in south Sumatra, far away from the crowds, traffic jams, pollution and yes... the rallies.

During those four days in Sumatra it looked as if no campaign was going on, being used to the endless rallies on the streets of Jakarta. There was no need to adopt party colors for protection or rehearse the parties' finger symbols, for fear of giving the wrong one during a rally.

But campaigning was still evident in certain areas. Flags (usually yellow), posters urging people to vote and people dressed in yellow T-shirts were evident on the streets. The thing that struck me most, during and after our holiday, was a small party in the village. Here, dangdut music could be heard and a Golkar official was rallying. Children, dressed in yellow T- shirts and caps, gave the Golkar two-finger sign.

Being tall, blond foreigners, we were easily spotted when we stopped in the village for a drink. Soon, we were the center of attention. The campaign leader's words faded into the distance and people stopped dancing to dangdut music. We were photographed, given yellow caps, and invited to stay for a free lunch. The campaign leader told the crowd, which had moved in our direction, that some foreign guests would join the rally. While that was not entirely our plan, we joined in since the atmosphere was pleasant, party-like, and the children were enthusiastic. After all, we were also in a festive mood, being on holiday.

So among our pictures of green rice paddies, splendid mountain views, blue lakes and white sandy beaches are photos of me standing in a sea of yellow.

The odd thing is, that after returning, I happened to read The Jakarta Post's little box that is always provided on page 2 and learned it wasn't a Golkar campaign day in Sumatra after all. I remembered putting a red cap on my head, I had figured it must have been a Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) day. Being sympathetic and neutral, I am always willing to join the Indonesian people in their "festival of democracy".

In another article, I read about 2,700 violations of the campaign rules. I wonder if rallying on another party's campaign day is also a violation. But this is none of my business, being neither an Indonesian, nor an official observer. My lesson from this small event is that in order to be a neutral, sympathetic foreign guest during the campaign one should always carry the three colors -- green, yellow, red -- because one never knows apparently.

MEI LI VOS

Jakarta