Jakarta – The recent tantrums between elite politicians ahead of the presidential election have failed to address the nation's crucial issues, showing their lack of political maturity, experts say.

"The main challenge for all the presidential candidates is whether or not they are capable of providing more meaningful substance during their campaigns," Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University academic Ari Sujito said Saturday.

"The candidates also need to understand they are not campaigning merely for their own victory but mainly for the people's interests."

All three pairs of presidential candidates – Susilo Bambang Yudhoono and running mate Boediono; Jusuf Kalla-Wiranto; and Megawati Soekarnoputri-Prabowo Subianto – have often stated they would prioritize political and economic welfare issues.

But recent developments show they and their rival campaign teams have often launched verbal attacks and innuendos on private matters, including religious issues, as the main ingredients in their campaigns.

Another political expert, Bima Arya Sugiarto, said innuendos and "light sarcasm" were normal in politics. "However, personal innuendos must not dominate the political debates among the candidates."

Bima said the nation's culture might play a role in the rising trend of personal innuendos thrown among the candidates.

"Our politicians never mention any names whenever they try to criticize their contenders. They always talk using disguised satire to throw their political punches.

"In the United States, for example, the situation is completely different. When Obama disagreed with one of McCain's programs, he uttered McCain's name clearly during his speech."

Ari said he hoped all the candidates would help one another to politically mature during their presidential campaign debates.

At a talk show Saturday, other political experts similarly criticized the candidates and their campaign teams for not embracing ethical campaigns by attacking their opponents' personality or even making slanderous comments.

"In my opinion, all the candidates are now seeking public attention so they will be closer to the people. But they often mislead the public," said Rocky Gerung, from the University of Indonesia.

He cited a candidate pair who rode pedicabs or walked to show the public that they were low profile.

"They are not used to riding becak or walking. That is a fake identity that fools the public. The campaigns should reflect who they really are."

Rocky also criticized candidates who attacked the "labels and images" of their rivals instead of their ideas or programs. "That way, they look more like traders not politicians or leaders."

Political ethics expert Alois Agus Nugorho said negative campaigns could be used as long as the candidates attacked ideas and programs, not personalities.

"If you campaign against platforms and accountabilities that would be very healthy and positive for the public."

Film director and arts critic Garin Nugroho said attacking competitor's personalities via the media might be entertaining but failed to politically educate the public. (hdt/bbs)