Potential voters turn to TV fpr info

Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta

Television programs featuring presidential candidates and the candidates' ads aired by TV stations were the primary source of information for people wishing to learn more about those contesting the July 5 election, a survey found.

Of 2,760 respondents questioned by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI), 62 percent said they learned about the candidates through television programs and ads during the recently concluded month-long campaign.

Eighteen percent of respondents said newspapers served as their main source of information, and 13 percent said the radio.

The survey, conducted from June 20 to June 24 in 345 urban areas and rural villages across the country, also found that only 6 percent of voters said they learned about the candidates through public gatherings, while 3.5 percent identified street rallies as their main source of knowledge about the candidates.

Five presidential candidates are contesting the country's first ever direct presidential election on July 5. They are Wiranto and running mate Salahuddin Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri and running mate Hasyim Muzadi, Amien Rais and Siswono Yudohusodo, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and running mate Jusuf Kalla, and Hamzah Haz and Agum Gumelar.

The Institute for Democracy Studies said the five presidential candidates spent huge amounts of money on TV ads.

According to the institute, the five candidates spent nearly Rp 33 billion (US$3.5 million) on television ads in the early days of the month-long campaign that ended on July 1.

Wiranto, who was nominated by the Golkar Party, spent about Rp 10.1 billion on ads during that period, followed closely by Megawati of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) with Rp 9.9 billion, and Susilo of the Democratic Party with Rp 8.1 billion.

Hamzah of the United Development Party (PPP) spent far less on TV ads at Rp 2.6 billion, while Amien of the National Mandate Party (PAN) spent Rp 2.5 billion.

The political ads contributed to a 20 percent increase in revenue for some television stations.

In addition, the LSI survey also found that the political ads for Susilo were seen by 44 percent of the respondents, the highest figure among the candidates.

Political ads for Megawati were seen by 26 percent or survey respondents, followed by Amien at 14.2 percent.

These figures were similar for political ads in newspapers and on the radio.

The survey also showed that Susilo remained the favorite to win the election, with 43.5 percent of respondents saying they would vote for him. Following in second was Megawati with 20.3 percent respondents saying she would receive their votes.

While Susilo remains the election favorite, this survey hinted that his popularity has dropped while Megawati's has risen. An earlier survey conducted by LSI found Susilo favored by up to 49.8 percent of respondents and Megawati a mere 15.4 percent.

The LSI suggested that Susilo and Megawati had the best chance to qualify for a second round of voting on Sept. 20 if none of the candidates receive a simple majority on July 5.

Support for Amien and Siswono also showed an increase from 9.8 percent (before the campaign) to 13.6 percent (during the campaign).

Wiranto and running mate Salahuddin were favored by 14 percent of respondents in the latest LSI survey, while Hamzah was backed by 3 percent of respondents.