Two candidates for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial elections held massive outdoor campaign events on Saturday in Kuningan, South Jakarta and Pulomas, East Jakarta, causing traffic congestion in surrounding areas.

Incumbent Fauzi Bowo and independent challenger Hendardji Soepandji set up stages at Soemantri Brodjonegoro Sports Stadium in Kuningan and Pacuan Kuda Pulomas Field in Pulomas, respectively.

Traffic on Jl. HR Rasuna Said and the surrounding roads slowed to a snail’s pace as Fauzi’s supporters flocked to the stadium in buses and on motorcycles late in the morning.

Supporters parked their vehicles on the side of Jl. HR Rasuna Said, creating a bottleneck along the thoroughfare that lasted until the afternoon.

Less than 10,000 people attended the incumbent’s rally at the sporting complex, far short of his campaign team’s target of 50,000 supporters.

Fauzi’s stage featured several musical acts, including the self-proclaimed “king of dangdut”, Rhoma Irama, female dangdut singer Cici Paramida and pop bands D’Masiv and Wali.

A number of top politicians also spoke in support of the incumbent at the event, including Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum and secretary-general Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, People’s Conscience Party (Hanura) chairman Wiranto and former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso.

Rally attendants, however, tried to beat the heat by seeking out shady spots in the venue, leaving only a few hundred people gathered in front of the stage.

In East Jakarta, Hendardji’s campaign event was attended by around 5,000 people, all of whom donned white and orange shirts emblazoned with the faces of Hendardji and his running mate, Ahmad Riza Patria.

At the rally, Hendardji delivered a campaign speech to his supporters. Former sports minister Adhyaksa Dault, who heads Hendarji’s campaign team, spoke on behalf of Hendardji as well.

Like Fauzi’s supporters, almost all of Hendardji’ supporters arrived at the rally by public buses and minivans that were booked for the event.

Similar also to Fauzi’s event, only around 500 supporters drew near the stage when Hendardji delivered his speech at 3 p.m., while the majority of attendees sought shelter from the scorching sun.

Many of the attendees said they received money for showing up and were only interested in the entertainment.

“I was promised Rp 50,000 (US$5.35) from the campaign team at the end of the event,” said Ardi (not his real name), a 23-year-old who traveled from his house in Halim, East Jakarta to Hendardji’s event.

Teenager Rian Fardian said he and his friends received Rp 25,000 to attend Fauzi’s rally.

“I’m here to watch the bands. It’s better than doing nothing,” said Rian, a resident of Central Jakarta.

Each of the six candidates competing in the election is only given one chance to hold a massive campaign rally.

Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Hidayat Nur Wahid will hold their rallies on Sunday, while Faisal Basri and Alex Noerdin will hold their events next week.

Jakarta’s second direct gubernatorial election is scheduled for July 11, with more than 6.9 million residents registered as eligible voters. (sat)

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