Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Got what it takes to be Indonesia's President? A new television programme allows presidential wannabes to find out, and also to see how popular they are on top of that.
The game show Who Wants To Be The President, now into its sixth week, has proven to be an instant hit with the Indonesian public, chalking up higher-than-usual viewership ratings for a political programme.
Several well-known figures, including the country's ousted leader Abdurrahman Wahid, have been featured in the Monday night show which is aired by private Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI).
Of the five who have been in the spotlight in the hour-long show, former Cabinet minister Adi Sasono, leader of the new Freedom Party, has fared the best so far. He managed to persuade 72 per cent of respondents that he was the answer to the country's political and economic woes.
Economist Dr Sjahrir, who founded the New Indonesia Party last year, trails him with 66 per cent support.
The episode which featured Mr Abdurrahman chalked up the highest viewership. It also had the highest number of calls for the phone poll – 9,000, three times the usual number.
He however was not too hot with the public. Only 42 per cent voted in his favour, the poorest performer so far. The former president was impeached by Parliament in 2001 for mismanagement and alleged graft.
TPI said the show was created in anticipation of the country's first direct presidential election next year.
Production supervisor Husni Atamimi told The Straits Times: "We wanted a groundbreaking show to mark TPI's 12th anniversary, and because of the momentum of the coming 2004 election, we thought this would be good."
Produced jointly with independent production house Solusi, the show quickly gained popularity, with ratings going up to as high as 5. Usually, shows of this nature struggle to get a 3. A popular local show can average 7.
Solusi president Abrar Din Ilyas told The Straits Times: "We realised that TV viewers ... were tired of hearing people talk about politics." The show offers something more than just the usual political analysts and commentators, he said.
They feature real people who are potential candidates, he added. Indeed, the idea of accessibility to these candidates attracts people. Previously, presidential candidates were sacrosanct – the ordinary Indonesian does not get to talk to them.
While the programme is a bit of fun for the people, they also say that it gives them a feel of potential candidates. Contestants are not restricted to serious contenders, as seen from the appearance of Mr Jaya Suprana, a businessman who is also a comedian and philanthropist, in last week's show.
There have been no major presidential contenders so far. Most of those who have appeared have been the second-tier politicians.
But expect some big names later this year, the producer said. "They're probably buying time while seeing how the others fair in the show," said Mr Husni.
President Megawati Sukarnoputri's sister and biggest critic, Ms Rachmawati Sukarnoputri, is due in the show later this month. The President's potential rivals, including National Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, have also agreed to appear.
Cabinet ministers Yusuf Kalla and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, both of whom have made public their desire to run for election, are likely to do so too.
As for the President herself, she has, to date, resisted calls to appear on the show.