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ive civil society activists have declared their intention to run for regional representative positions in five provinces, calling themselves “green senator” hopefuls who will launch a campaign based on programs that counter political polarization amid a rise of identity politics.

The National Green Caucus, which backs them, made an open call to anyone who wanted to join their platform and run for office in the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) in 2019 using its principles of a “clean, just and sustainable” campaign.

“We are going to give the voters an alternative to politics that use religion,” a hopeful for the Jakarta senator seat, John Muhammad, said during a recent visit to The Jakarta Post. “This political polarization has compelled us to do something,” said John, who is a member of the Green Party.

Getting inspiration from abroad from the likes of Jeremy Corbyn in the United Kingdom and Bernie Sanders in the United States, the caucus has so far secured five hopefuls: John, Daniel Awigra representing Central Java, Barlian for Bengkulu, Roberthino Hanebora for Papua and Zackaria Horota for West Papua.

The green caucus, which comprises progressive civil society and environmental groups and activists, opened a crowdfunding page on kitabisa.com and an information page on hijau.org. On the websites, the caucus displays endorsements from human rights activist Usman Hamid, anticorruption activist Ratnaningsih Dasta Hastarini and environmentalist and painter Dewi Candraningrum.

John, the group’s candidate for Jakarta, said they relied on social media to get support. He has to collect at least 4,000 signatures to register with the General Elections Commission (KPU) before April 26. His friend, Daniel Awigra, who is looking to run as a Central Java representative, requires 5,000 signatures.

The candidates plan to focus on urgent environmental problems in their respective areas as well as issues related to water accessibility and sustainability. They also plan to bring momentum to the anticorruption movement and enhance civic participation in the decision-making process.

“I see hope in politics. We want to break free from money politics, identity politics. It’s getting old,” said Awigra, a member of the Green Party and activist at the Association of Journalists for Diversity (Sejuk).

The activists are keen to see changes in electoral politics that rely on programs and although they acknowledge the gargantuan challenges they face, they are optimistic. “Call this [civil society groups’] present for the 20th anniversary of Reformasi,” Awigra said.

Awigra hails from Gombong in Kebumen, Central Java, and the local residents of the area have been fighting for years to protect the karst area in the town.

The residents, under the Association of People Saving Gombong’s Karst, have been vocal in rejecting a plan to build a cement factory, PT Semen Gombong.

Awigra said he would find constituents among people who face environmental problems, like those in Rembang who protested the construction of the cement factory.

Meanwhile, John said he would focus on coastal ecology by defending residents of Pari Island in the Thousands Islands regency who were in conflict with PT Bumi Pari, which claimed 90 percent of the island belonged to the company. “Protection of coastal ecology, including stopping the reclamation project, has to be monitored closely,” he said.

He has also made plans to focus on anticorruption measures, air pollution, water management and spatial justice.

The caucus was planning to work with the candidates to support them and polish their images, he said. “It is different from pencitraan [image-building],” John said, referring to a term that, when in the context of politics, can carry a negative connotation.

The caucus would train the activists to enhance their “true” profiles and track records to make them interesting and meaningful.