Politicians: We’re ready to pair up

Woman: We’re used to ‘dieting’ (bag reads Basic Goods, Instant Noodles)

Kid: We need a real leader!

Man: Naturally all our leaders are... hardened (criminal) leaders!

Kid (speaking to President Yudhoyono): Where do you want me to take this Mr?

Kid: So coalitions are like that yeah Dad? (cake reads ‘power’, badges read ‘political party X’, ‘political party Y’, ‘political party Z’)

Man: What we’re invariably left with is nepotism/lots of hassles (a play on the word nepotisme)

As quick counts (exit poll) start to come in from Wednesday’s election, failure to secure seats has begun to impact some legislative candidates (caleg) who spent exorbitant amounts of money to buy votes, with several mental hospitals (RSJ) announcing that they have prepared special VIP facilities to treat candidates who are dealing with severe p

According to a recent survey by a coalition of NGOs, no matter which legislative candidates (caleg) people vote for in today’s general election, corrupt, lazy and incompetent politicians are set to dominate national and regional parliaments, with only 95 out of more than 200,000 candidates having clean records and reasonable levels of competency

Man: Well, there’s lots of used up legislative candidates aren’t there!

Signs read: Election stall, Buy and sell used votes. Documents read: Ballot papers.

1st Man: Look out, carbon emissions!

2nd Man: Look out, promise emissions!

Signpost reads: Riyal, dignity, poverty, improving quality of life.

Man (speaking to KPK chief Abraham Samad): There’s an unpleasant odor of social aid funds isn’t there Mr?

The tongue indeed has no bone
Is not marked by words
A mountain of a thousand promises
What is said may differ from what is felt

(from a song by Bob Tutupoly)

Document in legislative candidate’s pocket reads: Track record, money politics, corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Man: This isn’t a standup comedy is it? (documents in basket read ‘Perspectives 2009’)

Kid: For the sake of April 9 they’re all going on leave, who’ll run the country Dad?

Man: For... well that’s how it is!

With President Yudhoyono leading the pack, six ministers have now officially requested ‘campaign leave’ to stump for their political parties in lead-up to April 9 legislative elections.

Before election...

After election...

Badge reads Legislative Candidate. Chest reads Budget.

Kid: Rushing it aren’t we?

Man (Speaking to KPK chief Abraham Samad): Mr, do you think perhaps that future former officials are afraid of being made to wear KPK vests!

Man: The most difficult requirement to be elected as a statesperson is they must have a conscience...

Kid: Those who think they’ve got a conscience are becoming soap opera stars now Dad!

Man: For the sake of the nation right Mr?

Activists have slammed a General Elections Commission plan to criminalise campaigning for golput (abstaining or invalidating a vote) ahead of this year’s legislative and presidential elections.

Man: Bored yet Mr! Forget about it until there’s a change of administration then dig it up again like usual!

Kid: A political Pandora’s box