Clash of Party Chiefs

With elections for regional chief executives just around the corner, the chairpersons of Indonesia's major political parties—Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Prabowo Subianto—went on the campaign trail to support their candidates running in the Jakarta gubernatorial election. But pundits say this could also be a test of the political…

Agus Harimurti-Sylviana Murni: Under Pepo's Watchful Eye

On Thursday last week, Muhammad Rifky spoke to hundreds of Barisan Betawi members at Wisma Proklamasi, Central Jakarta. They were briefed to be witnesses at voting booths (TPS) designated for the Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni ticket, in the final countdown of Jakarta's gubernatorial election this week. "If anyone cheats, just…

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama-Djarot Saiful Hidayat: Battling for a Basuki Win

During the Gue 2 Concert held in Senayan, Central Jakarta, two weeks ago, many people dressed in black formed a line to welcome Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) and Djarot Saiful Hidayat to the stage. That day, the campaign was livened by many celebrities hailing from the Indonesian capital.

This group…

Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno: Counting on Land Reclamation and Prabowo

Anies Baswedan took advantage of the final week of the campaign to emphasize his rejection of land reclamation work on the north shore of Jakarta. On Wednesday last week, Anies, who is running for the office of the Jakarta governor, endorsed by the Gerindra Party and Justice and Prosperity Party…

Targeting the Undecided

Undecided Jakarta voters will be an important factor in determining the winner of the election for governor of Indonesia's capital city next Wednesday. A number of surveys indicate that none of the three candidates are predicted to win more than 50 percent of the vote. That would mean a second…