In the new open-list proportional representation system used in this year’s legislative election, voters will directly choose the guy or girl they want to represent them in the House (DPR). The change forces candidates for DPR and DPRD alike to prove their individual mettle, since they can no longer rely on their strong nepotism connection “merits” in the eye of the party. Thus, the flashy nomor jadi on the top of the lists are not so coveted anymore (although I will still think twice whether I want to vote for someone listed in number 20). Each candidate must kick their rivals from other parties plus his/her own party, and come out on top.
In a perfect world, the candidates would compete against each other by showing off their ideologies, their platform, and track records so that people would be convinced to tick their names on the ballot. They would list out what they’ve done to improve their constituents’ lives and set an agenda if they get elected. However, this world, especially this election, is evidently nowhere near perfect. The sudden system change caught candidates unprepared with their campaign materials. Most of them, if not all, only managed to crank out tasteless stickers, posters, and huge banners adorned with their huge faces and number. Quite a lot of these banners simply crossed the line into Wackytopia, as I’ve commented in previous posts.
If it is the case, then only famous candidates can win the hearts and votes of the masses. No wonder candidates/stars are scattered in various districts, running for a seat through all kinds of parties. One prominent party even acquired a new nickname due to the numerous celebrities in its list of aspiring lawmakers. PAN, which actually stands for Partai Amanat Nasional (National Mandate Party), is being popularly renamed as Partai Artis Nasional (National Celebrity Party).
I myself have observed a phenomenon closer to home. A young, good-looking candidate from Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra is stealing the hearts of my friends in the uni. The guy is 28-years old Budisatrio Djiwandono, running for a seat in DPR for DKI Jakarta 2 electoral district which includes South Jakarta, Central Jakarta, and Overseas voters. (If you really wanna know, a search on facebook will unsurprisingly take you to his fan page). He swept many of my friends who happen to be girls off their feet; I haven’t checked on the guys yet. My friends have set their heart to ticking his name on April 9.
You see, these friends I’m talking about don’t really care about politics in normal times. Legislators could wrestle nude in the Parliament building or elect a monkey as the Speaker of the House, and my friends would still talk about what’s on E! last night. That’s why their newfound interest in politics is rather surprising and intriguing. The election committee has tried all moves in its book to attract voters, only to fail again and again; this young man with his “charming good looks” puts pictures of himself on trees and bajajs, voila, a throng of supporters appeared and pledged to vote.
OK, we have to admit that his fresh campaign pictures look way better than those oldsters who look like they’ve been fermented too long in the Parliament. The same case goes for the stars that vie for a seat in the House too. However, the story I told you earlier can only prove that Indonesians isn’t ready to directly choose its representatives. Most of these candidates don’t even disclose their plans, only promises to make stuffs free and cheap. Even worse, some only put their slogans like “Let’s Build Indonesia”, “Towards a Better Future”, “Young Voters’ Choice”, and many a tacky variations of “Yes, We Can!”
Looking at another side, the candidates shouldn’t be the butt of criticisms regarding this trend. The blame should fall on whoever changed the system so suddenly after parties have registered and made their candidate list according to the closed-list principle. Candidates and party big shots originally thought that they would campaign for their party as a whole. Then the new system struck down and they are scrambling to make themselves known to voters.
It would be much better if the change is applied for the next election in 2014 so that would-be candidates can come up with better strategies, rather than sticking their profile pics everywhere. The winners will probably be the bold (i.e. the ones who spend mountains of cash to campaign) and the beautiful (pretty self-explanatory, eh?). I don’t want to generalize these people as unqualified –some celebrities like Rieke Diah Pitaloka and Nurul Arifin really have what it takes to be a lawmaker- but the way this campaign season played out, I can’t help to think just that.
Anyway, the election is only a few days away, despite reports of mismanagement from all corners of the archipelago. We can only hope that those pretty faces we see everyday have the brains to boost this amazing nation to the right direction – if they get elected, of course.
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