ON Saturday evening, March 8, in a house in Sukamaju village, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Sofyan Tan sat before 20 men. He helped himself to a boiled banana and sipped mineral water. They had been gathered by Sofyan's campaign team to announce his nomination as a candidate for the House of Representatives (DPR), representing the region.

The relaxed atmosphere continued until Anto spoke up. He asked Sofyan to build an asphalt road in the village,