Meaningless Rants

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Starting from about two weeks ago, I started hearing ads from Partai Demokrat on the radio. I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard a political ad on the radio here in Indonesia, so that was quite surprising. Then I see the ad on the newspaper. It touts president SBY’s accomplishment, which was quite factual actually (then again I’m biased). And by chance I watch one of the Indonesian channel (I’m a snob, I don’t normally do that) and there it was: another Partai Demokrat ad.

I think that’s a good sign. It is a big improvement over nonsensical banners displayed on the bridges and bazillion party flags posted on fences, which doesn’t explain exactly why I should vote for that party. What is the rational behind putting flags everywhere? Are they trying to tell me that they have a lot of money to waste to pay for the flag and the people who put them there?

I’m happy with the direction of democracy here in Indonesia. KPU is going to hold a debate, though it’s not mandatory. Then again, not going to the debate tells the voter that you’re a wuss (listen to me, bu Mega). I hope street rallies will not be as prevalent (doesn’t prove anything anyways), though rallies should still be held, but to listen to policy speech, not for a dangdut concert. Well, ok, a few dangdut songs to start won’t hurt.

On a totally unrelated rant, why do I have a feeling that anyone that sports a moustache don’t have a good chance of being Indonesian president? Is it because we have been used to having cleanly shaved presidents from Sukarno to now? I mean, as governors and mayors, yeah the KUMIS is everywhere. Man, if I hear one more time to vote someone because of his KUMIS…