Robert Go, Jakarta – For Indonesia's five pairs of presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls, yesterday began with prayers, the signing of a unity declaration, a parade of floats and promises.
Before they officially endorsed a public pledge to "accept victory or defeat" in the July 5 election, there were handshakes between the candidates at the National- Monument (Monas) complex.
But the incumbent, President Megawati Sukarnoputri, snubbed her former security chief Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. After the endorsement, candidates watched brightly decorated vehicular floats, bearing their photos and slogans, move off to parade around the capital city.
Political observers doubted that banners and slogans would play a big role in helping voters to make informed choices, but these were displayed by those gunning for the nation's top jobs.
Mr Bambang, a retired general whose popularity skyrocketed following his resignation from the Cabinet in March, promised "a peaceful and prosperous Indonesia". Former military boss Wiranto, dogged by allegations of human rights abuses, suggested that voters should pick him if they wanted "a firm leader".
Voters are likely to perceive the two ex-generals in a very different light, with Mr Wiranto being seen as a tough guy, whereas SBY, as Mr Bambang is popularly known, has the reformist tag.
Ms Megawati's campaign team chose a pious Islamic dress code, themes and songs to go along with her vice-presidential choice of Mr Hasyim Muzadi, leader of Indonesia's biggest Muslim organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama.
However, her current deputy and head of the conservative United Development Party (PPP), Mr Hamzah Haz, opted to shake up his public image with advertising of a different flavour: sexily clad young women dancing erotically on his floats.
Some of the candidates took their messages personally to the streets.
Ms Megawati, for instance, went to a hospital and two traditional wet markets where she bought plenty of goods from merchants, promised renovations to their places of business and distributed campaign pins and flags.
Dr Amien Rais, the Speaker of Indonesia's highest legislative body, and running mate Siswono Yudhohusodo, a leader of the country's farmer groups, also hit the markets promising no more rice imports in a move that would improve prices for growers.
The pair pledged to eradicate rice smuggling. They said that wide rice fields across the country would enable Indonesia to meet its daily needs for rice. They also noted that while 40 per cent of the rice supply in the country was illegally imported, no action had been taken against smugglers.
SBY, in his first official campaign speech yesterday, also promised "a second wave of reforms", saying the country would be "more resilient" under his leadership.
Observers said, however, that millions of voters would continue to be confused about whom they should support next month. Many are disappointed with Ms Megawati's government, but others feel they should give her a second chance. Even those who think she should be replaced can't quite figure out which of the others deserves to get her job.
According to an opinion poll published this week by the International Foundation for Election Systems (Ifes), she has the support of 11 per cent of the electorate compared to his whopping 41 per cent.
Watching campaign floats pass by, hamburger seller Suparto said: "We want a stronger leader, but we don't want someone like Suharto." He was referring to Indonesia's autocratic leader for 32 years up to 1998, when a financial meltdown brought about a new era of chaos and uncertainty.