Why is it such a big deal? Because not only Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia, it is also a BIG melting pot of millions of Indonesian people who come from different places in the country, with various cultural backgrounds. I am not originally from Jakarta, but lived and made a living for about 2 years in the city. The capital faces so much problems that seemed eternal and impossible to solve. Floods, traffic/transportation, unemployment, pollution. The root of all that, in my opinion is population problem. Jakarta is way, way overpopulated. According to www.population-of.com, the population of Jakarta by the end of 2006 was 8,540,121. They should declare the city “closed” like they did in the 70s, but even if the government did that I don’t think it would be effective, as it’s getting easier and cheaper to get to the capital. Besides job opportunities are more in the capital.

Anyway, back to the Governor Election. No doubt that this 5 year-ly event draws so much attention of the Indonesian people. The governor has to be someone that not only the people, but can also relate to almost every Indonesian culture/ tribes in Indonesia. “Relating” to them is not enough, though, he/ she must also possess a visionary plan to develop the city and solve the problems. And the most important is… that the person must be a “good, clean person” in general. No track of corruption, collusion or any other nasty stuff in his record.

The 2 candidates for Governor of Jakarta, are Fauzi Bowo (currently the Vice Governor of Jakarta), Adang Daradjatun (former Chief of the Jakarta State Police). Their profiles can be found here, and here. Unfortunately, the first one, backed by all political parties who has 76% seats in the house of representatives. The guy is a part of the existing system, making him part of the current problem. The second one, is backed by only 1 party, one of the “known-to-be-clean” political parties in Indonesia. None presenting radical/ extremely cool ideas on how to “fix” Jakarta.

Fauzi Bowo, known as Foke (pronounced fou-kay) has not even once stood in public for a real campaign, he even refused to come to a leading TV show on a local channel which presents the candidates with real live questions from the audience. Wimar Witoelar was just recently fired from the show, because tremendous pressure the TV station was under, from the Fauzi Bowo Success Team. Another thing about Foke, is that he does a “hidden” campaign through social campaigns (National Education Day, Anti-drugs), using government funds. Wimar has a lot of things to say about that.

Adang Darajatun, not using government funds to place big banners and billboards to campaign his run for the governor; simply because he’s not in the government. But that doesn’t mean that he didn’t attempt to do the same. He has several banners on Blood Donation, but with a Huge picture of his face. Why put his face on a social campaign? First, it makes him look good… campaigning for social purposes. Second, social ads are cheaper. Commercial banners/ billboards, require a big amount of tax to be paid to the government; while social ads are much cheaper.

The vote will be done by each and every single Jakarta citizen. Even though Foke is backed by all but one political party; it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll win. Just like how President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won the election, he was representing the Democrat Party, very small and new party that lacks mature political players. So how did he win?

SILENT MAJORITY!

Indonesians are not stupid. Just because we’re silent, and don’t belong to any political parties, doesn’t mean that we don’t judge or have our preferences. Just because politicians back some guy, doesn’t mean that we’ll back that same guy. The fact that SBY is failing in shaping up the country, because he’s easily pushed around by the big political bullies, is another matter. But what’s important is that this silent majority should really understand that every single vote counts.

Both candidates don’t really represent the best of people we have in and for Jakarta. But surely, one must be better that the other. Make your choice, and let it be a good one.