P

olitical observers have found politicians use the Idul Fitri celebration as a moment to strengthen political collaborations and to win support from their constituents.

This year, politicians not only placed ads on television and in newspapers, they also put up banners in public places and attended Idul Fitri gatherings hosted by senior or veteran politicians.

“Politicians see Idul Fitri as an opportunity to gain support for the upcoming election scheduled for 2014. We see many of them extending Idul Fitri wishes via various media platforms,” political analyst Ari Dwipayana of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) said on Tuesday.

Ari was referring to several political leaders who have appeared in advertisements and on street banners offering Idul Fitri wishes to Muslims.

It had been reported that several politicians, including former vice president Jusuf Kalla, Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum, and National Democratic (Nasdem) Party patron Surya Paloh, hosted Idul Fitri gatherings, known as open houses, which were attended by fellow politicians and top society figures.

Kalla, a former Golkar Party chairman, hosted two gatherings — one in Jakarta and another in his hometown of Makassar, South Suawesi. A number of Golkar Party members attended, including graft suspect Zulkarnaen Djabar. Business tycoon Murdaya Poo, the husband of graft suspect Hartati Murdaya, was also seen at the Jakarta gathering.

According to Ari, politicking in Indonesia is normally conducted in private, so this kind of informal activity is often used to further a particular political agenda.

“These politicians all of a sudden become populists and they can use occasions such as these to approach key figures for support. Although Idul Fitri is a sacred celebration, they are following a political agenda,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Separately, Siti Zuhro, a political analyst at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said hosting an open house was important because it was part of Indonesian tradition.

“Most of these politicians think that this moment should not be missed. This is a chance for them to appear to be caring by giving donations to those less fortunate. Undoubtedly, they do that with a political agenda in mind,” Siti added.

“Usually, only the President and the government ministries host Idul Fitri gatherings. Therefore, we should be cautious if politicians start to organize such gatherings. This must have something to do with the [2014] election,” she added. (nad)