Soeryo Winoto, Jakarta
On Aug. 8 Jakartans will decide whether Fauzi Bowo or Adang Daradjatun will lead the capital for the next five years.
Whoever wins the gubernatorial race, it is interesting to learn how the two candidates have been attracting prospective voters with promises and political jargon. Almost every corner of the capital city is decorated (or spoiled?) by banners or posters selling the candidates.
There is a large banner bearing pictures of a candidate and his running mate, promising to promote and maintain pluralism. Another banner belonging to the other candidate waves close behind, offering more promising rhetoric.
Posters supporting the two candidates are stuck on the walls and electricity poles. One poster promises to end the city's traffic woes, saying: ""Tired of traffic? Vote for ..."".
Another candidate's poster stuck on an electricity pole outlines the candidate's determination to promote pluralism, saying: ""Jakarta for all.""
More vigorous are their speeches during campaign stops. A candidate looks to get sympathy and a positive response from his supporters, who always yell ""Yes"" whenever he asks the audience if they agreed to free education.
At another rally, his rival assures supporters of his vision to maintain and preserve Jakarta as a melting pot for all ethnic groups and races. As predicted, his supporters also yell ""Yes"".
Do the candidates get sincere and true support from the audience? No one can guarantee that. The voters will be alone when casting ballots, won't they?
It is the first ever direct gubernatorial election for the capital city of Jakarta. No wonder the candidates' style seems to copy political party officials and presidential candidates from previous campaigns. They don't have original ideas, just unrealistic promises and political jargon.
A candidate who offers to ""end traffic problems"", for example, should be extra careful as he must be aware that dealing with Jakarta traffic is a tremendous task that needs support from the central government and neighboring provinces.
Is it an easy job to limit the number of vehicles -- cars and motorcycles -- in the capital? Is it a simple job to have new roads built while land is becoming a rare and sensitive commodity?
He must acknowledge that a governor who can deal with traffic problems within five years -- a governor's term of office -- must be a superman! Then he thinks that he is a superman!
While a promise that is normative like promoting and keeping pluralism in Jakarta will obviously also be a big job for the candidate. The continuing worry of minority groups about being harassed due to their ethnicity and religion is proof that pluralism is somewhat questioned.
Many may think that Fauzi Bowo has more experience in the city administration, and thus he may have a better chance than his rival. However, many other may see that Fauzi, Governor Sutiyoso's deputy, was part of the bureaucracy that must be held responsible over the series of failures that took place during Sutiyoso's tenure. The lingering floods and waste problems, as well as unemployment, could be cited as examples.
On the other hand not many people know about the track record of former National Police deputy chief Adang Daradjatun. There is also no clear indication that he can do better than Fauzi in administering heterogeneous Jakarta.
With the election nearing, Jakartans must calculate who they think and expect can become the new governor with leadership and managerial skills better than the outgoing Governor Sutiyoso.
The writer is a journalist based in Jakarta. He can be contacted at soeryo_winoto@yahoo.com.
