Lalu Rahadian – Only days are left before simultaneous regional elections begin. The candidates taking part in the competition are using a variety of means to attract public attention in the hope of being chosen at the ballot box.

From an op-ed piece titled Corruption Haunts Regional Elections.

Vote-buying – the practice of handing out cash or goods in an effort to influence votes – remains pervasive and largely acceptable in Indonesia.

Papers read: ‘Party list ranking: 15’, ‘Soya Sauce Party Political Pledge’.

Tentacles read: Transactional politics, black campaigns, sectarian conflicts, money politics, corruption, fake news

Aryo Bhawono, Jakarta – Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) General Chairperson Prabowo Subianto claims that he feels saddened by the current state of the democratic system. This is because figures with prestige and good character are unable to become leaders if they do not have money.

Jakarta – His failure to be endorsed as a candidate in the 2018 East Timor gubernatorial election has not left La Nyalla Mattalitti powerless.

Friski Riana, Jakarta – Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno has confirmed that the Jakarta regional government will allocate grants of some 1.7 trillion rupiah from the 2018 regional budget (APBD) to several organisations.

Abraham Utama – The Indonesian Military (TNI) says that it will not changes its policies or views on the September 30 Movement (G30S) in 1965 regardless of the release of 39 secret US documents that have been opened to the public and “reveal a number of new facts”.

Wulan Nova/Elik S, Jakarta – The Alumni 212 Presidium has held a protest march from the Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque to the offices of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) to lodge a complete over a case involving Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo) chairperson Hary Tanoesoedibjo.

Kid: Careful Mr! Still water often runs deep

Edward Febriyatri Kusuma, Jakarta – I Love the Fatherland (Aku Cinta Tanah Air, ACTA) deputy chairperson Ali Lubis is suing Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama over the campaign speech he made at the Thousand Islands in late September.

Sherr Rinn – The Indonesian Labour Movement (GBI), which is made up of the Indonesian Metal Trade Workers Federation (FSPMI)/Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPSI), the Confederation of the All-Indonesian Workers Union (KSPSI), the Confederation of Prosperity Labour Unions (KSBSI), the Indonesian Labour Union Confederation Preparatory

Kid: Dad, will they become servants of the people, servants of power or... political party officials? (chair reads ‘Dynasty’)

Jakarta – Indonesian People’s United Resistance (PPRI) spokesperson Surya Anta believes that the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is one that relies on the interests of the political elite so it cannot take Indonesia in a better direction.

Kid: These politicians are statesmen too right Dad? (headline reads Rival National Congress, Rival Chairperson)

Politician: Yes... but no... politicians think about seats, statesmen think about the people! (chair reads ‘Basic Commodities Party’)

A power struggle inside Suharto’s former ruling party Golkar is seen as a proxy fight between New Order general Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Coalition (KMP) and the parties backing President Widodo’s government in parliament.

Jakarta – The Draft Law on Regional Elections (RUU Pilkada), which abolishes the direct election of regional heads and was successfully enacted into law (UU Pilkada) by the parties backing Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Coalition (KMP) is a threat to democracy.

Kid: Where’s your ethics and self-respect?

Sign reads: Overcoming problems without problems – slogan of the state-owned pawnshop company Perum Pegadaian

Man: A new paint job or improved performance Mr?

Jakarta – The Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) believes that the election of regional heads should be carried out by regional legislative councils (DPRD) because representative elections through the DPRD can minimalise the negative aspect of direct elections.

Man: Political acrobatics!