Take Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono’s wife, Annisa Larasati Pohan. As a former model and TV presenter, Annisa appeared composed when handling a crowd of Agus’ supporters during a visit to Kebon Kosong subdistrict in North Jakarta recently.

“Ladies and gentleman, I’m the wife, and the only wife, of Mas Agus,” Annisa introduced herself to the crowd.

Standing on a stage, Annisa seemed to know how to grab the crowd’s attention as she opened her speech with a pantun (poetic quatrain).

“Religious women are the best women and they are number one in the eyes of their husbands; My name is Annisa Pohan and I’m the wife of candidate number one,” said Annisa, which was followed by the residents’ applause.

In her visit to Kebon Kosong, Annisa took the chance to introduce a number of Agus’ programs, such as developing Jakarta without forced evictions and continuing the issuance of the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP).

“You don’t want to be evicted, do you? Developing the city can be done without hurting the citizens’ hearts. Forced evictions are a cruel practice, aren’t they? And it will not be continued if you vote for Agus,” Annisa, the mother of one daughter, told the crowd.

Apart from giving a speech, Annisa walked through the alleyways of the densely populated Kebon Kosong, shaking the hands of residents and taking photographs with them.

In one occasion, a 48-year old pecel lele (fried catfish served with chili sauce) vendor Suparti landed a kiss on Annisa’s left cheek, after which the latter claimed she was “very surprised” by the act.

Gearing up -- Jakarta governor candidate Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama Veronica Tan (center, in white shirt), along with Women Care for Jakarta (PPKJ) movement members, attend an event to discuss about the roles of women in city development and welfare improvement at Rumah Lembang, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Feb.8. (JP/Nurul Fitri Ramadhani)

While Annisa uses her TV persona to grab support for Agus, incumbent Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s wife, Veronica Tan, comes across as calm and reserved when attending campaignrelated activities

Having been the governor’s first lady for two years, which automatically makes her chairwoman of the Jakarta Family Welfare Movement (PKK), Veronica speaks a lot about programs related to women’s and children’s welfare, schools, health and garbage management. She is also the initiator of child-friendly integrated public spaces (RPTRA), community centers for mothers and children.

Veronica generally does not ask people to vote for Ahok. “Let the husbands do the city’s infrastructure development, our task is mind-set development. To change the city for the better, we need to change women’s mindsets because how we think will affect how our children will grow up,” Veronica said.

In a recent event at Rumah Lembang, Ahok’s campaign headquarters, for instance, Veronica was more focused on elaborating what she aimed to do if her husband was reelected for a second term. The programs include providing more facilities at RPTRAs and facilitating design and sewing training for women, especially pensioners so that they could live more independently. After the event, she warmly welcomed attendees who wanted to take photos with her. Veronica herself has been rarely seen by Ahok’s side on the campaign trail.

Ahok’s campaign team secretary Ace Hasan Syadzily told The Jakarta Post that Veronica also had her own visiting schedule, but the mother of three preferred not to attract media attention.

“Bu Veronica makes blusukan [impromptu visits], but not too often. Why should she tell the public or media about where she plans to go? If she announces her agenda, then it’s not blusukan anymore,” Ace said.

Meanwhile, Fery Farhati Ganis, candidate Anies Baswedan’s wife, takes a different strategy to woo voters by approaching female residents and attending Quran recitals.

On a recent campaign trail, Fery arrived with her campaign team in a small alley in Kwitang, Central Jakarta, where dozens of middle-aged women produced campaign attributes for the Anies team. Just like her previous visits, Fery, who has four kids with Anies, opened her speech by asking the residents on the current prices of basic commodities.

“Chili is so expensive now, the price is almost the same as meat,” a woman in the crowd shouted from afar. Fery nodded, smiled to the woman and told her that she was aware of the issue. She later explained to the woman that there were many factors that caused the soaring prices. “If my husband got elected as governor, I assure you that he will work harder to make sure that the price will be cheaper,” Fery said. She also echoed her husband’s pledge in providing better and more affordable education.

“One of my husband’s main objectives is to provide affordable schools with good quality so marginalized residents can have a better future,” she said.

Soon, either Annisa, Veronica or Fery will take a full role as first lady of Jakarta and serve as “surrogate” to her husband’s administration, dedicating herself in various projects or causes.