M. Taufiqurrahman and Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – During the 22-day legislative election campaign period, which will end on April 1, the contesting 24 political parties have dominated the wooing of voters, leaving Regional Representatives Council (DPD) candidates with the challenge of convincing the public about the prominent role of the soon-to-be established institution.
Each of the country's 32 provinces will be represented by four DPD members.
The parties are vying to garner as many seats as possible in the 550-member House of Representatives (DPR) and the Provincial/Regional Legislative Council (DPRD). Meanwhile, DPD candidates are campaigning independently of party representation, as they will be elected directly.
DPD aspirants have incorporated entertainment and souvenirs into their campaigns just to attract people to listen to their short speeches. Dangdut musical performances and campaign giveaways have become commonplace since campaigning kicked off on March 11.
DPD candidate Agus Rachman provided both music and gifts, but was unable to attract a sizable crowd to a soccer field in Mampang, South Jakarta, where he delivered his speech in between dangdut songs and lucky draws.
Only dozens of Agus' supporters, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with his face, came to the field and paid attention to his political platform and programs. The campaign was still rolling when those assembled started to leave the venue to get out of the scorching afternoon sun.
"The campaign is not yet over, so I beg you, please, not to leave the venue. Stay here and enjoy the music that has been provided by our beloved candidate, Agus Rachman," a dismayed emcee addressed the crowd, who came mostly from the Betawi Fraternity Forum (Forkabi), representing native Jakartans.
Contrary to Agus' experience, DPD candidate Mooryati Soedibyo, owner of cosmetics and skin care giant PT Mustika Ratu, attracted 6,000 supporters to her campaign at the Senayan Tennis Indoor stadium, Central Jakarta.
The 75-year-old candidate spoke about women's empowerment and other related issues, which received a warm welcome from the audience, who frequently yelled in gleeful support of her. "Women have to be empowered and they have to be considered equal to men," she said, flanked by several finalists of the Miss Indonesia pageant.
No information was available as to whether Mooryati had asked Mustika Ratu employees to attend her campaign. Mooryati is among the few Jakarta DPD candidates who have a solid campaign budget to be able to afford television advertisement spots.
Without party backing, most DPD candidates are working with an extremely limited budget and are resorting to means other than public forums and print or electronic ads to get their messages out.
DPD candidate Gersonius Saragih opted only to distribute fliers and brochures bearing his face and candidacy number in strategic locations around the capital, while Yetty W. Mualim sent out 10 campaign workers to distribute notebooks to high school and university students.
Taking an entirely different approach, candidate Maemunah Chairan initiated a community welfare project in West Semper, North Jakarta, as part of her campaign.