People revel in campaign fever

People revel in campaign fever

JAKARTA (JP): It is another day and another traffic jam in
Jakarta. But today the traffic snarls are longer and there is
something decidedly different about those crowding the road. They
yell, honk their horns loudly and even alight their vehicles to
dance with abandon on the street.

That is the story of the city's streets during the campaign
period. Street rallies wind through the city and disrupt traffic
everyday even though they are officially banned by the
government.

This should all come to an end when the one-month election
campaign period finishes on Friday. There will be a week-long
cooling period before voting on May 29.

The three political parties, the United Development Party
(PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), are
competing to win people's hearts and votes.

What does the public really think about the political
hullabaloo around them? The Jakarta Post talked to people from
all walks of life.

Jusrizal, a sticker vendor on Jl. Wijaya, South Jakarta: This
campaign is a blessing for my business. Supporters from the three
parties buy stickers from me and my friends. The supporters
ordered me to make their symbols, such as stars and bulls. They
also asked me to put stickers bearing their colors on their
motorcycles.

Usually, I earn an average of between Rp 10,000 (US$4.16) and
Rp 15,000 ($6.25) a day. But in the campaign period I make
between Rp 50,000 ($20.83) to Rp 75,000 ($31.25) a day.
Personally I hope the campaign period will be longer and the
election held more than once every five years.

Mutia, a campaign paraphernalia vendor on Jl. Kramat, Central
Jakarta: I am usually a food vendor. But during the campaign, I
sell campaign attributes, such as T-shirts, hats and scarfs. I
could sell a dozen to three dozen T-shirts a day. I'm happy with
the campaign as long as the police or the public order officials
still allow me to sell on the street.

Joni, a teenager: I love the campaign period. We can parade
around the streets and do whatever we want. There is no problem
with three people riding one motorcycles without wearing helmets,
yelling or dancing in front of the police. We did not get
arrested. I love the freedom. It's a once-in-a-five-year
occasion, we have to make the best of it. I don't care about the
campaigners and their speeches.

Sukadi, a senior high school student in Kemayoran, Central
Jakarta and supporter of Megawati Soekarnoputri: I attended a
rally to enjoy the dangdut music and to dance.

To hell with the campaigners. They just deliver meaningless
drivel.

Wiwiek Kamarono, a 20-year-old student at the University of 17
Agustus 1945, in Cirebon, West Java: I attended an indoor Golkar
rally because I was invited by the committee.

I was surprised, however, at the format of Golkar's rally this
campaign because it was so different from any previous rallies
here. It was very lively and I could easily understand what State
Minister of Environment Sarwono and the other campaigners were
saying.

It was a more effective way to attract young people's sympathy
than the yellowization strategy in Central Java. All my
schoolmates were also invited and they don't regret coming.

Intan K., a medical school student, Indonesian Christian
University, Jakarta: The campaign is bad and the rallies cause
traffic jams. It takes me much time to travel and I often arrive
late at class. What's more, those taking part in the campaign
often make trouble, they bang on your car or force you to show
the party's number with your fingers. Golkar, PPP...Isn't that
scary enough? I'd better avoid them.

Do I follow the campaign? No, I'm not interested. I don't
think they'll say anything interesting.

The campaign has no effect on me because I already know who I
will choose.

Atiek C.B., a pop singer: I participate in the Golkar rallies
by entertaining the audience. Five years ago, I also took part in
the rallies. Why? Well, I only do what I think is right. I
believe it's good for me to join the rallies because it makes the
atmosphere merrier.

It's good to have entertainment at the rallies. I can sing and
I want to entertain people. They brave the burning sun, they come
from faraway places, they deserve the entertainment. I often feel
touched to see the enthusiasm.

Sometimes I also listen to the speech, but most of the time I
have to concentrate on my performance.

J. Kristiadi, political observer from Centre for Strategic and
International Studies: Compared to the 1992 campaign, this year's
rallies are full of issues. Every party goes with their own
topics. But I don't think we need any rallies because we all know
which party will win the election. That's why dangdut singers and
bands have become the favorite attraction among parties for their
rallies -- they keep people's interest and stop them leaving the
arena early.

Aliyah, a housewife fitted out in yellow and on her way to the
Golkar campaign site in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta: It's lucky
the campaigns are held in the afternoon because if they were held
in morning hours we wouldn't be able to join (because of
housework).

Marni, a seller of gado-gado (boiled vegetables in peanut
sauce) in Kebayoran, South Jakarta: That husband of mine, instead
of helping me with the business, is off campaigning with Golkar.
It's alright if we get money, but he only got a T-shirt and
snacks. Do we get money? No way. I mean, I would close up for the
day and join the campaigning if I got Rp 25,000 (US$10.4).

Baharuddin Lopa, the secretary general of National Commission
on Human Rights: The national campaign is going smoothly, but
there are many youths who are victims of their own dramatic
campaign methods.

The security officers should approach them persuasively. I
know kids, they are in a very emotional stage in their life. I
was young once also and I had the same feelings.

The security officers cannot force them to stop when they are
parading around the streets because this will be against the
youths' emotions.

If the procession creates a traffic jam, the police patrol
should direct vehicles to other less jammed roads.

Leaders of the political parties should have more people to
coordinate the rallies and their supporters. Do you know why?
Because those young people would not obey the security officers.

Col. Ansyar Roem, head of the Jakarta Traffic Police
directorate: This is nothing new for me as a public servant. I've
been involved in several general elections. Traffic, including in
small cities, is always crowded during the rally weeks. So, we
have to spend extra time and be patient on the street to properly
manage the traffic flow. Lack of rest and sleep is common but as
a state serviceman I'm proud to do that.

Jack, a ministry official who chose to use a pseudonym: I have
bought a new car from profits in (marked up) T-shirts sales, but
I have also fallen sick because of all the work and stress
involved in ensuring a Golkar win in the ministry's area.

Yu Kembar, a fruit vendor in Blok M: I have experienced lower
sales since the first day of the campaign as customers are
fearful of venturing out on the roads.

My daily earnings dropped from Rp 200,000 (US$82) to between
Rp 80,000 ($32.86) and Rp 90,000 ($36.97).

I have to throw away three kilograms of each type of rotten
fruit daily because business is so quiet. But I still have to
support my family of six children.

Suwarti, a saleswoman at a tie counter in Metro department
store: There are lower sales, fewer customers, both Indonesians
and expatriates, and a quieter atmosphere during the campaign
activities.

We sell ties ranging in price from Rp 285,000 (US$117) to Rp
400,000 ($165). We usually generate monthly turnover of Rp 8
million ($3,292) but currently the turnover is only Rp 2.8
million.

Rianto Nurhadi, secretary-general of the Indonesian Hotels and
Restaurants Association and the top executive of Griya Wisata,
private hotel chain management firm: There is a low occupancy
rate during the campaign, but it is still tolerable.

This year's campaign is better than the previous ones. It is
under control and I think the effect must be good. But we have to
be careful because during the last round of campaigning the
rallies are bound to be more spirited.

I hear that the contesting parties pay people to join the
rallies.

Garuda Sugardo, director of cellular phone operator PT
Telkomsel: The campaign affects phone usage. There is a drastic
increase in the number of cellular phone calls. People call each
other to find out what is happening in other areas. Many people
want to buy the phones and subscribe to the service. That is the
impact of the campaign on my cellular phone operator.

But it has no impact on my vote.

Tjahjono Soerjodibroto, president of the state-owned PT
Indosat: The campaign is lively, especially as we have dialogs in
the campaign program.

There is no impact on the international traffic, but five
years ago, there were more calls during the campaign, maybe
because at that time the U.S. was also holding an election.

Elly Hutabarat, director of PT Pantravel, a travel agent: Of
course, the campaign affects my business. We even suggest to
foreign tourists who want to come here to delay their visit until
the election is over. But I do not say that Indonesia is not
safe. Anyway, we are not in the high season.

Djoko Pramono, President Director of Sir Speedy Indonesia,
importer of various goods: Compared to the previous campaigns, I
think this one is more regulated. My impression is that it is
only a fun fair. It is a chance for motorists to speed and ignore
the traffic lights, for dancing on the street and, especially for
the low-income people, it is the chance to express frustration.

I recommend the rallies be banned. Campaign programs on TV are
better, but they should be in the form of public debate so that
people really know what's going on. This will also show
leadership.

I saw a dialog on TV, but it seems to me that they had
prepared the questions beforehand. People in the audience were
also from the same party.

I think the campaign can have an effect on the election. I
will definitely not vote for the party whose supporters have been
violent.

Sri R., a businesswoman in Malang, East Java: I never imagined
the 1997 campaign would be like this. Everyone is terrified of
the rallies on the streets and the violence from day to day. My
car has been damaged by the campaigners. I'm sad to see all these
things happening in my country. Where are the smiling people of
Indonesia now? I have no idea which party I will choose on May
29.

Yati Octavia, an actress: The campaign scares me. I am afraid
to go out. Things happen even though the government has
threatened to take action against those who violate the
regulations. It seems to me that everybody is afraid to go out.

I have made my choice and I will stick to that. The campaign
will not affect me. We have the right to vote and if you don't
want to vote, that's your right, too. But, then again, you'd
better vote.

Supadi, a security guard at Plaza Senayan shopping center: We
have to be more careful when campaign activities look heated and
spirited. More shoppers now take a taxi here to avoid damage to
their expensive cars. About 40 percent of shoppers use taxis.

Kardi, a parking attendant on Jl. Sabang, Central Jakarta: The
campaign only creates trouble for me. I have to work harder. I
have to be more careful than usual. The campaigning time is often
close to the lunch hours, which is the busiest time here. And
those who take part in the rallies are often rude. They like to
bang on the vehicles but they don't do this just with their bare
hands. They sometimes use sticks and this puts me in a difficult
situation.

I don't understand about dialogs in campaigns. I don't follow
the campaign, both in the field and on TV because I have to spend
my time working.

I already know which party I will vote for. Even without any
campaign, I will be loyal to that one. But if somebody gives me a
T-shirt or a vest, I will accept it, regardless of which party he
or she is from.

Mujiono, a minivan driver plying the Tanah Abang - Kebon Jeruk
route in Jakarta: Normally I can do four to five round trips in a
day, but with the traffic congestion during the campaign period,
I can only make two trips. Some of my passengers were young
people who were on their way to the rallies. I gave them a free
lift because I don't want to take a risk. They look violent and
I'm afraid they might do something bad if I refuse.

Rivai Asrani, a taxi driver in Malang: It has become customary
for taxi drivers stay home when a rally is on. We start working
late in the afternoon. It is better for us to earn less money
than to take the risk of our taxi being damaged, the windows
broken or the body tarnished.

Edi M., a taxi driver in Jakarta: I have never joined the
rallies. What for? They all make the same promises, which they
never keep. When I am home and the TV is broadcasting the
campaign program, I turn it off and play a tape or the radio.

Tarum, also a taxi driver: I don't care about the campaign.
For me it is useless because if I run into trouble, the
legislators that I supported won't even meet me in the House of
Representatives building.

But I don't object to the rallies since the campaign is held
only once every five years. Everybody needs an avenue to release
their wild side.

Tsutomu Sakomoto, NHK bureau chief for Indonesia: I don't
think it is my place to comment on the election but, as a
foreigner, I think the election must be independent and should be
respected. In Japan, all the parties are treated equally. For
example, if we from NHK want to cover the campaign, we must
broadcast the same duration, size and speech length for each
party. I don't think it happens here.

My question is why the three parties agreed to the election
rules but later violated them. Sometimes, the rallies disturb
people's lives and business. Almost all Japanese people living in
Jakarta are afraid to go out of their houses or workplaces during
rallies of a particular party. Even my children are afraid to go
back from their school when there are rallies on the street.

Ms. X, a senior reporter of RCTI: I was a golput (people who
are registered to vote but abstain). Now it all depends on how
things develop. I see this campaign as a comedy rather than a
brutal event. It is even funnier than a joke of the Srimulat
comedy group.

Last weekend I went out of town to monitor local opinion about
the campaign. The understanding of the campaign is limited to T-
shirts (with the parties' symbols). They think that if there is
no T-shirt, there is no rally. The political parties take
advantage of this, they exploit children and the ignorant. I see
all of this as a form of "entertainment" during my assignment to
cover the campaign.

Jajang C. Noer, actress and film director: The election is
just like a sinetron (TV drama). Everything is orchestrated.

Incidentally, I pity Pak Harto (President Soeharto). I hear
people will renominate him for another presidential term. How
could they do that? We should give Pak Harto the opportunity to
enjoy his old age, so he can relax, go fishing, play with the
grandchildren.

Jujur Pranoto, an author and playwright: I pity people in the
rallies. I wonder why they do things like touring the city. It's
useless.

I have followed the campaign programs on TV three times. I can
feel the restrictions. I don't see the spontaneity, it seems to
me they were acting and everything looked to have been
orchestrated. I also don't find the issues presented to be
interesting.

I am still considering which party to vote for. I believe I
will not be blessed by God if I vote and I won't sin if I don't
vote. Voting is a right, not an obligation. (team)