Taken from ‘Bungklang Bungkling’, ‘Partai Gerang’, in Bali Post, Sunday, 19th April 2009,
a column by I Wayan Juniartha
Translated by Putu Semiada
We have seen so many funny and silly things recently. You do not really read newspapers to find out.
Some people returned the gamelan instruments to a legislative assembly candidates who failed to get considerable votes in that area. In other case, a failed candidate asked for the carpet, woven bamboo, and television that he had donated to the people. It happens that when a candidate loss, he would ask everything back what he has given without feeling guilty. And he wouldn’t think he needs to pray in the temples anymore.
“Money politics” is all behind this. Every candidate did “money politics”. But nobody could approve this. Even the police can do nothing nor the Panwaslu (The Committee for Election Monitoring). They are just sitting in their office waiting for reports on the election violations. They are not trying to be active. They think it might be too risky if they are. They will be active only when there is money involved.
The experts who used to very ‘vocal’ before the election, are very quiet now. They think that only when they become legislative assembly members, they can do something for the people.
“Nowadays, nobody wants to work for public service for the people’s own good. If you want, many field you can work at to show your devotion to the people, like you can do cleaning for public areas or work at nursery home to serve the old people, or give scholarship for unprivileged children, etc.” says I Made Geleh Brebeh.
‘You know, when you work as volunteer, you don get paid. But if you are a legislative assembly member, you will earn a lot of money,” says I Made further says.
They all are hunger for money. And when they loss, they all hide so nobody ask them for money.
“The funny thing is the small political parties who gained votes less than the minimum limit, they will not be allowed to join the next general election. If they want to join again, they have to change their names,” says I Ketut Patut Aud.
This would give a headache to the party chairmen; how to give new identity to their parties without taking out their former names, that their supporters still can remember.
“If so, PNI Marhenisme can change their name to PNI Marhenisme Perjuangan, PNI Marhenisme Pembaharuan, and PNI Marhenisme Jilid 2 (Part 2), or the best name might be Shri Shri PNI Marhenisme,” says I Made with smile.
Barisan Nasional can change their name to Partai Baris-Berbaris Nasional, Partai Republikan to Partai Republiku, PNBK Indonesia to PNBK Indo (to get voters from expatriate (indo), Partai Keadilan to Partai Keadilan Bersungguh-Sungguh, Partai Kedaulatan to Partai Kedaualatan Rakyat. What about PIS (Partai Indonesia Sejahtera) and Partai Buruh? What are their names supposed to be?” asks I Ketut.
“PIS and Partai Buruh should be banned. PIS got no significant votes and Partai Buruh will never win as nobody will vote them because nobody wants to be a ‘Buruh” (labour). Everybody wants to be a civil servant.
The problem is that the people are getting smart now. No matter how you change your names, but they know what is going on. Once you made mistake, it would last forever.
a column by I Wayan Juniartha
Translated by Putu Semiada
Political Party
We have seen so many funny and silly things recently. You do not really read newspapers to find out.
Some people returned the gamelan instruments to a legislative assembly candidates who failed to get considerable votes in that area. In other case, a failed candidate asked for the carpet, woven bamboo, and television that he had donated to the people. It happens that when a candidate loss, he would ask everything back what he has given without feeling guilty. And he wouldn’t think he needs to pray in the temples anymore.
“Money politics” is all behind this. Every candidate did “money politics”. But nobody could approve this. Even the police can do nothing nor the Panwaslu (The Committee for Election Monitoring). They are just sitting in their office waiting for reports on the election violations. They are not trying to be active. They think it might be too risky if they are. They will be active only when there is money involved.
The experts who used to very ‘vocal’ before the election, are very quiet now. They think that only when they become legislative assembly members, they can do something for the people.
“Nowadays, nobody wants to work for public service for the people’s own good. If you want, many field you can work at to show your devotion to the people, like you can do cleaning for public areas or work at nursery home to serve the old people, or give scholarship for unprivileged children, etc.” says I Made Geleh Brebeh.
‘You know, when you work as volunteer, you don get paid. But if you are a legislative assembly member, you will earn a lot of money,” says I Made further says.
They all are hunger for money. And when they loss, they all hide so nobody ask them for money.
“The funny thing is the small political parties who gained votes less than the minimum limit, they will not be allowed to join the next general election. If they want to join again, they have to change their names,” says I Ketut Patut Aud.
This would give a headache to the party chairmen; how to give new identity to their parties without taking out their former names, that their supporters still can remember.
“If so, PNI Marhenisme can change their name to PNI Marhenisme Perjuangan, PNI Marhenisme Pembaharuan, and PNI Marhenisme Jilid 2 (Part 2), or the best name might be Shri Shri PNI Marhenisme,” says I Made with smile.
Barisan Nasional can change their name to Partai Baris-Berbaris Nasional, Partai Republikan to Partai Republiku, PNBK Indonesia to PNBK Indo (to get voters from expatriate (indo), Partai Keadilan to Partai Keadilan Bersungguh-Sungguh, Partai Kedaulatan to Partai Kedaualatan Rakyat. What about PIS (Partai Indonesia Sejahtera) and Partai Buruh? What are their names supposed to be?” asks I Ketut.
“PIS and Partai Buruh should be banned. PIS got no significant votes and Partai Buruh will never win as nobody will vote them because nobody wants to be a ‘Buruh” (labour). Everybody wants to be a civil servant.
The problem is that the people are getting smart now. No matter how you change your names, but they know what is going on. Once you made mistake, it would last forever.
