Oh, to have resorted to such cheap campaign tactics and the sheer humiliation of losing anyway.
As many of you are already aware, Jakarta wasn’t the only place holding an important regional election yesterday. Out of the 101 regions holding elections in Indonesia yesterday, one of the few outside the capital to get much attention took place in Bekasi, where popstar-turned-politician Ahmad Dhani – who was arrested on suspicion of treason just two months ago – was bidding to become deputy regent.
Dhani has spent much of his political “career” attacking Jakarta Governor Ahok, but since he couldn’t use religion as a wedge issue in the Bekasi election, he instead attempted to court psychedelic funk-rock fans with the promise of bringing in a globally renowned rock band if he were to win the election (because he’s apparently got connections).
“There are actually no personal vows [if he wins]. But later I’ll invite RHCP (Red Hot Chili Peppers),” Dhani said yesterday morning, as quoted by Kompas.
Dhani added that the concert would be held at Bekasi’s Wibawa Mukti stadium, and that it would be free for all, even people from outside Bekasi.
RHCP’s Anthony Kiedis and pals have not commented on the offer.
And they probably won’t have to. Quick count polls show Dhani and his running mate Sa’aduddin were quite a ways off from winning the election. For example, the Indonesia Survey Network (JSI)’s quick count result puts Sa’aduddin-Dhani, who received 25.19% of the votes, behind winners Neneng Hasanah Yasin-Eka Supriatmaja who received 42.93% of the votes.
But it seems Dhani is in denial about the outcome, as he believes that his team won.
“From the quick count tally that’s being conducted by our campaign team, we’re still leading over the other candidates with 35% of the votes,” Dhani said last night, as quoted by Okezone.
By that logic, we here at Coconuts are also set to become regents of Bekasi, based on the tally that our team carried out independently.
In all seriousness though, as much as we’d love to watch RHCP in concert for free, I think we speak for the majority in saying that even the most epic Chili Peppers concert ever would not be worth having Dhani as a deputy regent.
