Cokelat: every voice counts

Mariani Dewi ,  THE JAKARTA POST ,  JAKARTA   |  Sun, 03/22/2009 10:39 AM  |  People

Once every five years, the country is smitten by election fever where streets abound with political party-funded entertainment shows. Leaders and leader-wannabes are out in full force to gain support. However, observers fear that the fever may cool off as indifference and disillusion have infected many voters. The nonvoting rate may creep up to more than 30 percent, up from 23 percent in 2004.

The worry is shared by pop band Cokelat. They go against the grain, fighting the trend with their new song “Five Minutes for Five Years” to encourage voters to cast their voice in the coming elections.

“This is the time to be brave, to find out the facts, and to make our choice. Nationalism is to do something for the country in whichever field you are. Voting is another form of nationalism,” Cokelat say in chorus.

“We must have the courage to make our choice, pick the best candidates and keep our eyes on them—to ensure promises are kept,” the guitarist Edwin says.

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