Jenny Grant, Jakarta – Golkar will be hoping its election day support will prove more steadfast than that offered by the motley crew bussed in yesterday for its first campaign rally, held in a dirty industrial wasteland in north Jakarta.

The 800 supporters brought in by local Golkar officials hurriedly pulled bright yellow party T-shirts over their clothes. This was a rent-a-crowd at best.

Pahing, 19, looked bored sitting at the back of the empty field waiting for the music to start. He was paid 20,000 rupiah to come.

"Yesterday was much better. I joined in the Megawati rally, but I wasn't paid for that," said Pahing, who has been unemployed for a year.

Middle-aged housewives from a small neighbourhood in Johor Baru fought over a list to be given to the wife of the local Golkar candidate.

"Neti, Epon, Pipien, Muriati, don't forget Dede. Have we forgotten anyone?" asked Ibu Alima. The list was proof of who turned up at the rally, later ensuring a lunch box, free T-shirt and payment for the day.

Ms Alima said her group would immediately take off the yellow T-shirts they were given once they left the field, fearing violence from the public.

Even the entertainers felt it was an imperfect day. Maria, 34, who gyrated in front of the mostly male crowd in a lime green blouse and tight pants, complained: "Last campaign I made 400,000 rupiah per show. Now I won't get anywhere near that."

Dancing to Maria's songs was Iman, 23. He admitted that five days ago he was among those who attacked a group of Golkar floats on the opening day of campaigning.

Party chairman Akbar Tanjung told the crowd his party did not engage in money politics. There was no more corruption in his new Golkar, he said. In the back row of the rally, Ms Alima clutched her handbag and laughed quietly.