THE room was stifling, even like a fairground. People were flowing in. In the big building on Jalan Diponegoro 43, Central Jakarta, the clattering of dishes and spoons was heard. In the front yard, chicken soup, siomai (dumplings) and oxtail soup were served.

Five hours after the poll to elect the Governor of Jakarta was closed at 1pm on Wednesday last week, an atmosphere of victory pervaded the venue. They were congratulating each other. “We