Pick a Number, and Pray

The 2009 Indonesian General Elections is still months away, yet it has started to make a huge buzz. Last time, I talked about how our "party people" name their new political rides to power, which is a good source of pointless thoughts. Yesterday, all thirty four parties took their numbers for the legislative elections. And as far as Indonesia goes, we still have a lot of things to say about "lucky numbers".

On top of the list is nationalist Partai Hanura. Yep, the so-called "people's conscience" party that has started openly campaigning early after its inception. One might remember party leader Wiranto's nasi aking drama, in which he visited a poor family's house and deprive them of their already minimal food stock in a media circus to criticize the current government. "Vote for me, then no one will have to eat such terrible food. Let's just go to McDonald's!"

It was reported that the Prez's Partai Demokrat (which doesn't, in any way, resemble its US namesake) craved number 9, which they got in the previous election. They wanted to replicate their surprising performance in 2004, and rather coincidentally, SBY's birthday is 9/9/1949. They can keep coveting the dream number though, because they got listed at the back of the pack, number 31. Number 9 goes to Partai Amanat Nasional -National Mandate Party- instead.

Everybody's favorite unlucky number 13 was picked by Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa -National Awakening Party- as if the universe is reflecting its current leadership conflict. IMO, they should really set things straight and prepare for this election in unity. Otherwise, they'll lose lots of votes from frustrated supporters, and who knows what they'll choose. No, I'm not bashing any certain party right now. By the way, the "death" number 4 goes to Partai Peduli Rakyat Nasional - National Concern for the People Party(?).

Former president Bu Mega's PDI-P, or Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle, is located in number 28; while the biggest party in the House, Partai Golkar, sits confidently in number 23. A statement by its official in the news today sparked my curiosity. He said that "people can remember number 23 more easily". I just want to ask, "How?". I've never heard of anyone considering 23 as a beautiful number with any significance above others. Let's ask Veep Jusuf Kalla about this.

In the end, every party calls their respective numbers the lucky number. For a full list, see Wikipedia's page on the election. I believe that it will be exciting, especially since I'm a first-time voter.