1st Man: He’s coming here to inspect the situation yeah?

2nd Man: No fool, he’s off to a party meeting

Kid: There’s an awful smell of image building in the air Dad...

Man: Is Pertamina or the people loosing money... and who’s profiting?

With many senior government officials vying with each other to be nominated by the major political parties as presidential candidates (Capres) and more than 90% of lawmakers running as legislative candidates (Caleg) in the April general elections, the political elite have all but abandoned the pretence of trying to run the country.

Man: Peace on earth!

Kid: Dynasties aren’t just in Banten are they Mr?

Man speaking to Transport Minister EE Mangindaan: Mr Minister, the road accident rate is dropping, that means transportation is improving yeah?

Man: Ahh, all that’s changed is the year and they’ve gotten older...

Caleg: It’s also changed my fortunes!

Man: Please, go ahead Mr...

Man speaking to KPK chief Abraham Samad and Supreme Audit Agency head Hadi Poernomo: What’s important is where the money went Mr!

Kid: The money’s found its way far and wide... and in the end...

With legislative and presidential elections only a few months away, the Australian spy scandal provided a perfect opportunity for political grandstanding with politicians of every strip falling over each other to demonstrate their nationalist credentials by either blasting Australia – or slamming President Yudhoyono for over-reacting or criticis