F

ive candidates are vying to win the Riau gubernatorial election, which will be held on Thursday, in what has largely been a race between candidates, not parties.

Herman Abdullah and running mate Agus Widayat won the support of 10 political parties, none of which are represented in the Riau Provincial Legislative Council, including the Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party, the People's Conscience (Hanura) Party and the Star Crescent Party (PBB).

Candidate Annas Maamun and running mate Arsyadjuliandi Rahman are backed by the Golkar Party.

Lukman Edi and Suryadi Khusaini are endorsed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the National Awakening Party (PKB).

The Democrat Party is fielding Achmad and Masrul Kasmy for governor and deputy governor, respectively, and Jon Erizal and running mate Mambang Mit are being backed by the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

Some 4 million eligible voters will cast their ballots at 11,649 polling stations in 12 cities and regencies in Riau, which is the largest producer of crude oil in Indonesia, and a production center of US energy giant Chevron in Indonesia.

The rector of Riau Islamic University, Detri Karya, said it would be difficult to predict the winner in the election because all the candidates were well known figures in the province.

'All the candidates are experienced and have shortcomings and strengths,' he told The Jakarta Post on Monday. 'A gubernatorial candidate's shortcomings should be covered by his choice for vice governor.'

Detri said some candidates were concerned with the problems being faced by the public but lacked management skills. On the other hand, those with management skills were still untested in the public sphere.

'What we are looking for is a gubernatorial candidate who cares about the problems of ordinary people and at the same time understands how to run the provincial administration well,' he said.

As an example of the consequences of a failure in management, he pointed to the state of poor communication between the current governor and his subordinates, which had caused responsibilities to go unmet.

'Their focus was only on whether the budget was used or not, while it is more important to check the development results instead of budget absorption,' he said.

Detri refused to name which candidate he thought had the best shot at winning, saying all he knew for certain was that each candidate would get the most votes in his or her hometown.

He speculated that Herman could get the most votes in the capital city of Pekanbaru and in Kampar regency, while Agus could secure votes from the Javanese community, which constitutes between 35 percent and 40 percent of Riau's population.

Annas is considered the favorite in Rokan Hilir regency and in parts of Rokan Hulu regency and Dumai city. Annas and Arsyadjuliandi are also counting on Golkar's political machine.

'Golkar has been quite strong in Riau where many elderly people in villages only know about the three parties that were around during the New Order regime,' said Detri.

'Golkar has the advantage here.'

Lukman and Suryadi are also playing the pluralism card, as they focus on winning support from transmigrant settlements. Suryadi is also expected to gain votes from the Javanese.

'If Edy and Suryadi could get 25 percent of the transmigrant vote, they only need to secure another 10 percent of the vote to reach the safe zone,' said Detri.

Achmad is popular in Rokan Hulu regency and has introduced himself to other regions, while Masrul is expected to reap votes in the coastal areas, where most voters live.

Jon is not a stranger in Riau, especially after he made it into the inner political circle in Jakarta. His history in entrepreneurship will go nicely with Mambang's bureaucratic finesse, said Detri.

'This pair will maximize support from other dominant groups, like the Malays and Minangs,' said Detri.

Detri said that political party affiliation, except in the case of Golkar, would play a small role in the race because Riau residents were not that fanatical.

Meanwhile, the Riau Police chief spokesman, Adj. Sr. Comr. Hermansyah, said some 6,340 police personnel would be deployed to safeguard polling places during the election.

In a safe region, two police personnel would secure eight polling stations, while in 'problematic areas', two officers would oversee three polling stations.

He added that military personnel and public order officers would also be deployed to reinforce the police.

'We call all candidates to direct their supporters so that we can have a safe, smooth, clean and quality election,' said Hermansyah.