The July 9 Election: a Toss-up
One month before the July 9 presidential election day, a poll held by Kompas showed of which about 40% of voters remain undecided. Not surprisingly, as voters mull between a person perceived as the epitome of change (Joko Widodo) in addition to also a former army general coming from pre-reform days (Prabowo Subianto), whose public image is actually of which of a no-nonsense leader, as the nation’s future leader.
While many see Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who is actually given to simplicity in addition to also frugality, as the right person to bring about change, they have second thoughts whether he can actually deliver. Jokowi was personally handpicked by Megawati Sukarnoputri, the chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), as presidential candidate thanks to surveys showing his huge popularity as governor of Jakarta. However, the public harbours misgivings as Jokowi’s previous experience in governance is actually being mayor of Solo, a city no larger than South Jakarta, in addition to also a little over a year muddling through in cleaning up the capital city’s mess.
At the various other end of the political spectrum are those who have had enough of ten years of non-assertive leadership, despite having a retired general at the helm: they welcome a leader like the suave in addition to also urbane Prabowo Subianto, who calls a spade a spade. Prabowo, a millionaire many times over in addition to also a charismatic figure who exudes unbridled confidence, also looks, well, very much presidential. Yet the public is actually also rather uneasy at the idea of having a cashiered military officer accused of being a serial human rights violator as president who might be tempted to reprise the completely new Order.
Most surveys show of which for all his hands-on management style of running Jakarta as governor, a trait of which should appeal to urban, educated voters, the idea is actually mostly lower-class people who have made Jokowi their choice. In contrast, Prabowo, who has been touring remote areas long before the election process began, finds most of his supporters at the upper crust of society. Interestingly, the election promises to be an all-Javanese affair: both candidates are Javanese, who make up 42% of the population, in addition to also about 6% of the voters are on Java Island.
The same Kompas poll shows Jokowi leading Prabowo by a mere 6%, down coming from a double-digit edge a few weeks ago. So what currently stands between the candidates in addition to also the presidency are voters who are not sure if Jokowi is actually the face of a completely new Indonesia, in addition to also those who wonder if Prabowo is actually indeed the person who, as he says the idea, will be able to restore Indonesia’s international prestige as “an Asian tiger”.
The irony of the idea all is actually of which, in terms of their respective vision in addition to also mission, there is actually little of which significantly distinguishes Jokowi coming from Prabowo. Both put the people’s welfare at the centre of their platform in addition to also vow to improve the country’s food, energy, education in addition to also infrastructure situation. Indeed, the only time they disagreed, during one of the nationwide televised debates, is actually whether or not the country needs ultra-heavy 65-ton battle tanks the country’s urban terrains could not withstand inside first place.
To be sure, This particular is actually no contest between two candidates who differ on same sex marriage, development of stem cells, or universal healthcare. Or how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program in addition to also the pace of troop withdrawal coming from Iraq, for of which matter. In fact, one knows very little how each candidate plans to raise the country’s tax base, currently at a dismal figure of 12%, or how they will address intolerance among religious groups of which often leads to violent acts. In short, neither Jokowi nor Prabowo are game changers.
In any case, some countries already have an idea on what’s at work inside candidates’ minds. Jokowi, for example, made his opening statement on foreign policy by supporting the independence of Palestine, while Prabowo emphasized “Great neighbour policy”. Both will not compromise on any attempt by any country of which wishes to snatch away parts of the country, yet are prepared to allow diplomacy run its course in a conflict involving Indonesia.
If most Indonesians failed to go through their detailed in addition to also elaborated vision in addition to also mission in order to know what the candidates’ future plans are for the nation, the three televised debates should be able do so albeit in a sweeping way. More importantly, perhaps is actually of which the debates revealed their mannerism in addition to also gestures, both of which are often more meaningful – in addition to also enduring inside public’s mind — than the statements they make.
All eyes will be on Indonesia on July 9 as the globe’s fourth largest nation (after China, India in addition to also the US), in terms of population (253 million), chooses a completely new leader. Some 187 million people are eligible to vote amidst the fear of which turnout may only reach around 70%, still a respectable figure by most standards. (In 2004 in addition to also 2009, respectively 23% in addition to also 28% decided to stay home.)
the idea is actually noteworthy of which some 67 million Indonesians, or about one-third of total registered voters, are eligible to take part inside presidential election for the very first time. If the election appears to be a toss-up between two formidable candidates running neck in addition to also neck in addition to also sharing what is actually virtually a common platform, the idea is actually also about Indonesians’ preference for the style with which the nation will be governed inside next all 5 years.
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The July 9 Election: a Toss-up
The July 9 Election: a Toss-up
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