Potential voters turn to TV fpr info

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.