Jakarta – The preliminary campaign for the Jakarta governor election organized by the Hidayat Nur Wahid-Didik Rachbini ticket is threatening to turn sour as local residents are beginning to pay more attention to the celebrity entourage the candidates bring to campaign rallies rather than their campaign message.

The candidate pair came to greet residents living along Krukut river in Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, and were accompanied by celebrities including presenter Eko Patrio, movie star Primus Yustisio and artist Lukman Hakim. The first two celebrities are members of the National Mandate Party (PAN).

"I only came to this event because Eko Patrio was coming and I was informed that there would be a free meal during the event. I don't even know the candidates," a local resident told kompas.com on Sunday.

Many residents were shouting for Primus when he was about to deliver a speech, and seemed more interested in having their photo taken with the candidate than listening to his message for the city.

A member of the Justice Prosperous Party (PKS), Hidayat is currently member of the House of Representatives' Commission V overseeing transportation, public works and housing while Didik is an executive at PAN's center executive board. (dic)