Every Election Day in Indonesia, including today’s hotly contested Jakarta governor race, is described as “Pesta Demokrasi” (Party for Democracy), and it seems some people took the idea quite literally.
One of the most peculiar scenes among Jakarta’s 13,000-plus polling stations occurred at the one set up just outside the holding cells of the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) building. Eight detained graft convicts and suspects were given the opportunity to cast their votes, and it seems seven of them weren’t at all ashamed to be paraded in public.
In fact, they seemingly enjoyed the brief spotlight and didn’t even hold back from letting the public know who they voted for.
https://twitter.com/giewahyudi/status/854558438403170304
In case you’re out of the loop, the seven graft convicts and suspects above, which include former sports minister Andi Mallarangeng (sentenced to 4 years for misappropriation of state funds) and former Jakarta councilor Mohammad Sanusi (sentenced to 7 years for bribery and money laundering), gave the three-finger salute synonymous with gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan’s campaign.
Only one detainee, graft suspect and former Constitutional Court judge Patrialis Akbar did not take part in the festivities and did not disclose his choice in the election. The rest, according to Tribun, were part of an “election process full of laughter.”
13 KPK detainees were registered to vote today, but only eight showed up.
Many netizens seem to agree this doesn’t reflect well on Anies Baswedan.
No corruptors and corruption suspects would choose Ahok. But that’s their right, respect it.
It’s clear why they chose no. 3 (Anies), because no. 2 (Ahok) is anti-corruption.
But some didn’t see a problem with Anies being graft convicts’ choice:
Good, don’t pick the blasphemer (Ahok).
