Voters not so easily fooled: Analyst

Ridwan Max Sijabat The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Don't be fooled by the apparent enthusiasm for give aways from political parties -- including money -- many people are aware of what party and who to vote for, an analyst here said.

The major parties might think their campaigns are successfully erasing the collective memory of their past performance, said Mochtar Pabottingi on Tuesday.

But although many people, "especially the needy and the unemployed accept money from any party paying them to campaign, they are no longer foolish," Mochtar said, "They are selective and are on the alert for unscrupulous politicians".

The Coalition against Rotten Politicians comprising several non-governmental organizations, has published a list of politicians and their alleged wrongdoings including rights violations and corruption, raising much controversy.

In particular, Mochtar said, many have lost confidence in President Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Vice President Hamzah Haz of United Development Party (PPP) who should be held responsible for the prevalent corruption. He said this includes the recent acquittal by the Supreme Court of Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung over charges that he allegedly embezzled Rp 40 billion (US$4.6 million) in state funds.

Meanwhile, J. Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) said the general election should constitute "a trial by the people" of parties and politicians who share the blame for the current crisis.

"Voters who are now more selective, clever and honest should not elect parties that deceive the people and rotten politicians," Kristiadi said. He added that the reform forces, which had become fragmented in various parties and state institutions, "should consolidate to fight for the national reform agenda" to counter parties "that are trying to establish an oligarchy".

Mochtar lambasted the parties for their continuing dominant role in determining legislative candidates, placing priority on candidates' ability to raise funds. Parties also benefit from the weak laws which open the opportunity for money politics.

Although the electorate is skeptical, Kristiadi said, he also expressed concern over campaigns that stress voting only for party symbols instead of legislative candidates.

Instead of trying harder to attract people to dialogs on the party platform, Kristiadi said many parties "are using money to buy votes".

Kristiadi added that calls from the party led by R. Hartono, a former aide of former president Soeharto, to become loyalists (antek) again, were an insult to the people.

"Nobody wants to be antek of Soeharto," he said, explaining that the Javanese word meant slave or one level beneath a slave.

A number of parties including that of Hartono and Soeharto's daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB), are eyeing votes from people who may think that life was better under Soeharto than the current government.

But the analysts agreed that without consolidation among pro- reform forces, the New Order forces might well win despite public skepticism. Such consolidation would be crucial to win the 2009 elections, they said.