Jakarta Globe, Arman Dzidzovic & Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jun 16, 2014
Members of the Indonesian Farmers’ Association wait for presidential candidate Joko Widodo to arrive at Balai Kartini in South Jakarta on Monday. (JG Photo/ Arman Dzidzovic) |
Jakarta.
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) presidential candidate Joko
Widodo accepted the endorsement of the Indonesian Farmers’ Association (HKTI)
on Monday at the organization’s anniversary celebration at Balai Kartini
convention center in South Jakarta, despite Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra)
Party candidate Prabowo Subianto’s longtime association with the group.
“We decided
after the presidential debate last night that the people who are able to lead
Indonesia and who will listen to the people are Jokowi and JK,” HKTI secretary
general Benny Pasaribu said, referring to Joko by his nickname and running mate
Jusuf Kalla by his initials.
The
endorsement came as a surprise to some: Prabowo was the chairman of the HKTI
from 2004 through 2009, and has continued to refer to himself as such,
including on the paperwork he submitted to the General Election Commission
(KPU) last month formalizing his candidacy.
“We will
say this to Prabowo Subianto: claiming to be the chairman of HKTI is unethical
and wrong, as it can create a restive environment and uneasy atmosphere among HKTI
committee and members,” Benny said.
Monday
night’s debate, which focused on the economy and social welfare, saw Prabowo
quick to mention the role of agriculture in job creation and economic
development. He argued for ethanol subsidies — a policy he has long supported —
and claimed that each hectare of Indonesian farmland could support up to six
jobs.
A member of the Indonesian Farmers’ Association displays her support for the organization on her traditional paddy hat at Balai Kartini on Monday. (JG Photo/ Arman Dzidzovic) |
Joko also
emphasized agriculture, and he argued that an increase in government
appropriations flowing directly to villages would provide concrete benefits for
farmers, but his responses centered more on empowering small enterprises to
compete globally.
Nonetheless,
his approach inspired the confidence of the country’s largest farm association.
“The person
who honestly defends the lives of farmers is Jokowi,” HKTI chairman Oesman
Sapta said.
Thousand of
HKTI members were bussed into the capital for the celebration, showing
overwhelming support for the popular Jakarta governor, although Prabowo was
also in attendance.
Hundreds
were wearing red “Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla” shirts with “HKTI” emblazoned below,
despite Benny’ claim that the decision to endorse the candidate had not been
reached until Sunday night.
A bus parked
outside the building, decked out with cardboard cutouts of Joko, blasted the
candidate’s campaign songs, but some attendees said the celebration was about
more than just the upcoming election.
“We came
here to sing songs and celebrate Indonesian farmers,” music teacher and HKTI
organizer Gerry Gustaman said. “It has nothing to do with politics.”
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