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.