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PAN's electability: Fame or fortune?
The campaign team for Hatta Rajasa, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Coordinating Economic Minister may have designed a campaign to highlight Hattaâs influential role in the government, but for rural voters none of this matters
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he campaign team for Hatta Rajasa, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Coordinating Economic Minister may have designed a campaign to highlight Hatta's influential role in the government, but for rural voters none of this matters.
Last Sunday, several PAN executives and a legislative candidate nominated by the party ' Jeremy Thomas, a former soap opera actor, visited Gebang Mekar, a fishermen village, in Cirebon, West Java.
During the visit, the entourage distributed around 5,000 packages, including boat awnings, fishing nets, boat repair kit, traditional bamboo hats and T-shirts.
Even before the program was over it was obvious Jeremy stole the show; villagers hysterically chanted Jeremy's name and immediately crowded around him when he got out of his car.
In all the commotion, Hatta was forgotten. It did not help that Hatta skipped the program to attend the funeral of People's Consultative Assembly speaker Taufiq Kiemas.
'I stay at home every day; I don't know who Hatta is,' said Wingsi, a 35-year-old local. 'But, I know Jeremy Thomas. He's the star of [soap opera] Tersanjung,' she said, referring to a popular television soap opera.
'I am here to see a celebrity with my own eyes. If there is no celebrity, this event will not be fun,' Wingsi continued.
Another woman, Taci, 28, said she was aware of Hatta from banners put up for the event but said she preferred to see a celebrity than learn about Hatta or politics.
'I heard Anang and Hengky would come. Instead, it was Jeremy who showed up today. But it's okay, as long as a celebrity is here. I even shook Jeremy's hand,' she said, referring to singer Anang Hermansyah and actor Hengky Kurniawan who are on PAN's list of legislative candidates.
When asked about whom she would vote for in 2014 presidential election, Taci said that she knew nothing about the presidential candidates.
PAN executive Bima Arya Sugiarto confirmed his party had recruited a large number of celebrities for the 2014 legislative election and did not mind the acronym Partai Artis Nasional (National Celebrities Party) assigned to the party.
'But they are not just random celebrities; they are celebrities with a plus. Our legislative candidates are not only popular they have the capacity,' Bima said.
Data from the General Elections Commission (KPU) shows that PAN nominated the largest number of celebrities for the 2014 legislative election, the likes of soap opera star Primus Yustisio, who is an incumbent, former comedian Eko 'Patrio' Hendro Purnomo, former soap opera actor Desy Ratnasari, 1980s film star Marissa Haque, television personality Gading Marten and his girlfriend Giselle Anastasia.
Rather than fame and money, Jeremy said that he offered 'character and trustworthiness'.
But in spite of the celebrities' presence and gifts from Hatta, villagers certainly had their minds on another figure.
Toni, a 52-year-old fisherman said that he would vote for a candidate who was concerned with the welfare of the poor and showed determination to change their lives for the better.
And for that he roots for Jokowi.
'I feel the benefit of Hatta's gift, but, if you watch the news Jokowi's efforts are real,' he said.
Toni has certainly seen the news showing the popular Jakarta governor making his trademark impromptu visits to Jakarta's slums as well as his down-to-earth persona.
Another fisherman and father of three, Jaya, 35, who docked his ship some distance from the venue, appeared to be more clueless about Hatta.
'They said a party executive would visit the village. Is he the same person? I don't know if he's here yet or not,' Jaya said only minutes after the event wrapped up.
Waud, 41, one of six fishermen who went to the stage to symbolically receive aid packages said 'I know Hatta. He helped me; I should vote for him.'
Bima said that the event was part of what he called 'real action' that could boost the party's popularity.
He, however, declined to comment if Hatta's low level of electability could convince the PAN chairman to lower his target.
Bima said that Hatta had not yet made up his mind about his target for 2014.
'He [Hatta] could improve his popularity rating once he makes a decision,' he said.
