Two new parties running autonomy issue
Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Departing from the popular platforms of religion or nationalism, two new parties are highlighting regional autonomy in their campaigns. But because this is a less popular topic their campaigners are selective in the issues raised with specific audiences.
The United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK) and the Regional United Party (PPD) have promised to fight for regional interests, taking advantage of the stalled implementation of the regional Autonomy Law.
The 1999 law that gives more power to regional governments came into effect in 2000 reversing the condition under Soeharto's 32-year rule, which came to an end in 1998, wherein the entire archipelago was tightly controlled by Jakarta.
PPD chairman Oesman Sapta said that he was optimistic that the party's platform would convince voters, although observers refer to regional autonomy as the world's largest experiment in governance.
"Many people attended our campaigns in regions outside of Java, and that is proof that they are still interested in our party's mission to successfully implement the Autonomy Law," said the businessman who hails from West Kalimantan.
"We've got nothing to lose in the next election, but we will still have to carry on our mission to make people consider the benefits of regional autonomy," said the former deputy speaker from the Regional Representatives Forum at the People's Consultative Assembly.
The other party, PPDK is determined to promote the autonomy issue during party campaigns outside Java.
"We have to be careful in choosing our topics. When we're campaigning in big cities, we talk about education issues instead of autonomy," PPDK executive Andi Mallarangeng said.
The autonomy issue is more popular outside of Java, he said. Java has always been the seat of power since the nation declared its independence from the Dutch colonialists in 1945.
PPDK was founded by Ryaas Rasyid, one of the architects of Indonesia's regional autonomy, who is now the party's leader.
A political observer said the choice of regional topics in political campaigning would not be attractive.
"Since our first election in 1955, most voters lean toward either nationalism or religion, specifically Muslim parties," Pratikno said.
He added that most votes for the new parties promoting regional autonomy would come from swing voters, which only accounted for 15 percent of the total number of voters which is 147 million.
"Regional autonomy is only popular among people living in areas where natural resources are abundant. In some areas, only top regional officials can enjoy the benefits of it," he said.
Unfortunately, the areas with a great deal of resources also are areas with relatively small populations (and voters), Pratikno said.