TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
'Klingking Fun' discount campaign for voters expected to increase turnout
In a bid to increase the voter turnout for Wednesday’s presidential and legislative elections, the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) – in collaboration with the Communications and Information Ministry (Kominfo), as well as several of the country’s business associations – has announced a range of discounts and promotions for voters.
Change Size
The campaign dubbed Klingking Fun (in reference to the inked little finger signifying one’s participation in the election) will offer up to 50 percent discounts for products and services from over 250 local and international brands, as well as retailers. (JP/Anggara Mahendra)
I
div>In a bid to increase the voter turnout for Wednesday’s presidential and legislative elections, the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) – in collaboration with the Communications and Information Ministry (Kominfo), as well as several of the country’s business associations – has announced a range of discounts and promotions for voters.
The campaign dubbed Klingking Fun (in reference to the inked little finger signifying one’s participation in the election) will offer up to 50 percent discounts for products and services from over 250 local and international brands, as well as retailers.
Bekraf head Triawan Munaf said he floated the initiative following concerns about voter turnout on Apr. 17, which President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo declared a public holiday.
“I am aware that many employees are tempted to take the week off because the public holiday on Apr. 17 will be followed by Good Friday on Apr. 19. Many people will definitely be tempted to stay home or go out of town during the long holiday, instead of casting their vote,” Triawan said on the sidelines of the campaign launch on Monday.
Kominfo head Rudiantara said he was confident the campaign would prove to be effective in drawing more voters to polling stations.
“One of the indicators of a successful election is voter turnout. I urge everyone to go to the nearest polling station and cast their votes,” Rudiantara said, adding that the ministry would broadcast public service announcements notifying the public of the campaign on multiple platforms, including television and social media.
Voters can look forward to discounts from hundreds of notable brands and retailers including Sogo department store, Sushi Tei, Alfamart and Cinema XXI.
In addition to offline retailers, local e-commerce giants Tokopedia and Bukalapak will also offer discounts to voters.
Some offers will only be valid on voting day, while others will last until the end of the month.
To get the discounts, voters can simply show their inked fingers at store counters. As for online shopping, voters may upload a photo of their inked finger to qualify for the limited offer.
Business tycoon and politician Sofjan Wanandi commended Klingking Fun, saying that the campaign would give the public the opportunity to have fun and celebrate, especially following months of political polarization between supporters of the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin and Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno presidential tickets.
“The primary aim of this initiative is to decrease the number of nonvoters. The second, no less important aim is to allow the public to reunite with friends and family without having to worry about their political differences,” he said.
Klingking Fun was launched amid the government’s concerns regarding the public’s increasing tendency toward golput (abstention).
The abstention rate has increased since the 1999 general elections and disillusioned voters have recently taken to social media to voice their intention to abstain from voting on Apr. 17 because of their disappointment with both presidential tickets, particularly with their stances on human rights.
For this year’s elections, the General Elections Commission set a target of 77.5 percent voter turnout.
“With the boost from Klingking Fun, I’m confident that we will reach 80 percent voter turnout,” Sofjan said.
Indonesia Employers Association deputy chairwoman Shinta Kamdani said Klingking Fun would not be limited to Jakarta. Local brands from several regions across the archipelago had also expressed interest to offer similar discounts in support of the elections, she said.
“We have been overwhelmed by responses from local entrepreneurs outside of Java. We are happy that our fellow businesspeople have been so willing to support this year’s elections,” Shinta said, adding that she also expected Klingking Fun to contribute to national economic growth.
Millennials have welcomed Klingking Fun, but also see it as an insignificant addition to the voting experience.
Muhammad Fadhil – a 20-year-old university student from Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan – said he would still cast his vote regardless of the special discounts.
“Limited discounts are not my reason to vote as I truly want my voice to be heard. That said, shopping at low prices is an exciting bonus for voters,” he told The Jakarta Post. (asw)
