The blind learn about the sound of politics

The blind learn about the sound of politics

By Yogita Tahil Ramani

JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid "sounds" like an inconsistent
politician who says one thing today and another tomorrow. Akbar
Tandjung "sounds" like a person who does not know what else to
say and keeps on repeating his remarks. Amien Rais "sounds" like
a sincere person, while Hamzah Haz "sounds" like a true leader.

The above observations were made by blind youths who have been
listening to the hustle bustle in the run-up to the June 7
general election by listening to radio and television broadcasts.

In a dialog held recently, the students of the state-run
Center for the Blind (PSBN) expressed their enthusiasm about the
polls, and their wish that representatives from the 48 political
parties would pay attention to them. They suggested candidates
could visit centers for the blind to educate them about party
platforms and in turn listen to the needs of the blind.

Muslim, a student at the center, said it was the way for
parties to help the blind "make the right choice".

"They can help us vote for them," the 20-year-old who has
minimal sight told The Jakarta Post. He emphasized that listening
to radio and television broadcasts gave them a limited
involvement in the campaigns, and questions remained about how
the parties could "change our lives".

"That is what we need to know from the parties," Muslim said
at the dialog held at the school, which is located on Jl. Dewi
Sartika No. 200 in East Jakarta.

The center, which accommodates 53 blind youths, has 26
instructors. Subjects include religion, mathematics, Braille, the
Indonesian language, handicrafts helpful for home industries and
several types of massage.

The students said they were looking forward to joining the
polls, and were enthusiastic about what the government could
offer them.

Hadi Rachmawadi, 25, said he was considering voting for the
United Development Party (PPP) because it was an Islamic party,
but would only do so if the party promised certain things.

"I expect PPP to make a serious effort to get facilities for
the blind installed, not only in social centers, but also in
schools, universities, mosques and libraries," said the youth who
wants to become a religious teacher.

"Elevators in all buildings must have adequate space to
accommodate wheelchairs," he said. "Buildings here, for instance,
should have a 30-centimeter-wide wooden plank running from one
wall to another to guide the blind as they move around."

According to a 1994 survey conducted by the Indonesian
Association for the Blind, there are 3.2 million blind people
nationwide who are braille literate. Of them, 800,000 live in
Jakarta.

Gozali, 25, said he had heard many political figures speak,
but "nobody spoke like Abdurrahman Wahid".

He said the leader of the National Awakening Party (PKB) "says
one thing one day, and says another thing tomorrow. One can never
be sure what he means when he says something."

With his unseeing eyes constantly blinking, Gozali said he had
learnt quite a lot about political figures simply by hearing them
speak on the radio or TV.

"Whether it's Gus Dur or Akbar Tandjung, they seem to be
saying the same things over and over again," said the man who
loves to listen to blues, jazz, Tom Jones and Andy Williams.

"Amien Rais seems to be a sincere person and maybe there is
something different the National Mandate Party (PAN) could offer
us if he won (the presidency) ... (but) nobody can guess who will
turn out to become this nation's president. Let's see."

Muslim added that so far, he had heard views from the
following parties: PAN, PPP and the Democratic People's Party
(PRD).

"I think Pak Hamzah Haz is the true leader of PPP and I am
particularly partial toward him. He speaks of the spiritual needs
of the majority of the Indonesian people."

Lusita Sari Dewi, 23, said she had no idea about parties at
all. She said: "All I know is that there are people who are good,
and those who are not good.

"Those who are not good, do not know how to behave to those
who do not have the same good fate as they do ... I will not vote
for such people."

When asked to comment on the issue of voting facilities for
the blind, a PSBN instructor, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said that on June 7 people helping the blind to vote
must come either from the voters' family or circle of friends.

"Still, if the helper turns out to be a cheat and votes for a
party the blind person does not want to vote for, I don't know
what to say in that case... let's leave everything to God."

Soekirno of Indonesian Association for the Blind (Pertuni)
said in early March the association sent the General Elections
Commission (KPU) three suggestions concerning facilities that
could be provided for a blind person to vote.

"Only one was selected. That 'helper' suggestion. This, too,
was made after a lot of confusion," Soekirno told the Post over
the phone.

He explained that earlier, R. Soedarmojo, a senior KPU
executive, had insisted that helpers should be committee members
at the polling places.

"Later it was decided that helpers would be selected by the
voters themselves."

He said one of the two rejected suggestions was "embossing
numbers in Braille on the ballot paper for the blind voter to
feel and make his or her mark".

"The suggestion was rejected. KPU said it would take a lot of
money."