Indie Jakarta gov candidates raise Rp 980m to fund campaign
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 02/08/2012 12:44 PM
Independent candidate for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election, Faisal Basri, and running mate Biem Benjamin, managed to garner Rp 980 million (US$109,760) in a fund-raising event held on Tuesday evening in Jakarta.
The funds will be used to finance the pair’s campaign efforts for the Jakarta gubernatorial election race on July 11.
“I predict I will be able to contain my campaign spending to as low as 10 percent of other candidates’ total expenses,” Faisal boasted.
“Should other candidates splash Rp 400 million, I will just spend Rp 40 million,” Faisal said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.
Faisal, a noted economist, and Biem, an entrepreneur, are going to rely on direct interactions with Jakartans as a key part of their campaign strategy.
They also plan to harness the power of the internet to tap into social networks.
Jakarta will hold its second direct election on July 11, which for the first time will allow candidates to run independently of political party support. (riz)
