Sarwono introduces interactive campaign

Sarwono introduces interactive campaign

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post,Jakarta

Former Golkar secretary-general Sarwono Kusumaatmadja opted to go
ahead on Thursday with his indoor campaign to a mediocre
audience.

Many have become inured to the lengthy monologues of
campaigners over the years, and dialogs by general election
candidates have typically failed to draw thousands as in the
past.

Sarwono, who is vying for a seat in the Regional
Representatives Council (DPD), told an audience of over 1,000
people that the country had adopted a new electoral system that
allowed the people to elect legislative candidates directly.

He explained that the system also included the soon-to-be-
established DPD, whose members are independent -- not political
party members -- to represent the people.

"What's the benefit of direct elections? Your aspirations,
your ideas on how to improve your life will be channeled directly
to legislators you trust and who have the authority to make
decisions about it," Sarwono said.

He invited the people onto the stage, asking them to tell him
anything they wanted to share. Sarwono also descended from the
stage in the middle of a stadium to approach people who were too
shy to ask questions.

The audience, most of whom were wearing T-shirts bearing his
picture, came from several areas in South Jakarta. They told him
their concerns about the dengue fever outbreak, water rate hikes
and educational issues.

Sarwono promised that he would listen to their aspirations
with his whole heart and that, if elected, he would prioritize
water, waste management and education.

The legislative election is slated for April 5 to elect
central and local legislative members, as well as DPD members.
Each of the country's 32 provinces has four DPD seats. The
existing People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is to be dissolved
as an institution and replaced by the DPD and the House of
Representatives (DPR), which are to convene as a regulated
Assembly.

Sarwono told reporters after the campaign that he preferred to
conduct dialogs with the people rather than delivering a speech.

"It's more effective. People get my point, although it
requires more energy," he said.

As in other party campaigns, Sarwono's indoor campaign was
also highlighted by a dangdut performance. Clad in flashy
costumes, two female singers managed to raise some of the
audience to dance the poco-poco.

Sarwono's campaign stood apart from the usual, however, as it
also provided an educational expo on water quality, alternative
education and HIV/AIDS.

Sarwono had invited a research laboratory and several non-
governmental institutions to educate the people on the issues.

"Don't forget to ask them (non-governmental orgainzation
activists), gain some knowledge," Sarwono told attendees before
departing to a West Jakarta venue for another campaign.

Yulianti, a resident of Kemang, told The Jakarta Post that she
had come to the campaign to support Sarwono.

"He is a good man. He often visits us to talk," she said,
stressing that she did not come for "honorariums" or a free meal.

A taxi driver from the Kosti taxi company, said he trusted
Sarwono, who heard the voice of the poor.

"He is a former minister, but he didn't mind eating in a
warteg with us taxi drivers," he said proudly, referring to a
small, street-side food stall.

Sarwono served as environment minister during the New Order
regime and was later appointed as minister of fisheries and
maritime affairs under the government of president Abdurrahman
"Gus Dur" Wahid.

Leonardo Renyut, a member of Sarwono's campaign team, said the
candidate had been making frequent visits to kampongs in the city
to talk directly to the people since two years ago.

"It's not something new for him. He has done so for many
years, since he was a minister," he said.