2007 Jakarta gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:2007 Jakarta gubernatorial election
Country:Indonesia
Flag Image:Flag_of_Jakarta_(vectorised).svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Next Election:2012 Jakarta gubernatorial election
Next Year:2012
Election Date:8 August 2007
Turnout:65.41%[1]
Image1:Fauzi Bowo.jpg
Candidate1:Fauzi Bowo
Party1:Democratic Party (Indonesia)
Running Mate1:Prijanto
Popular Vote1:2,109,511
Percentage1:57.87%
Candidate2:Adang Daradjatun
Party2:Prosperous Justice Party
Running Mate2:Dani Anwar
Popular Vote2:1,535,555
Percentage2:42.13%
Governor
Before Election:Sutiyoso
Before Party:ABRI
After Election:Fauzi Bowo
After Party:Democratic Party (Indonesia)

A gubernatorial election was held in Jakarta on 8 August 2007 to elect the Governor of Jakarta for the five-year term between 2007 and 2012. It was the first direct election for the capital city. Incumbent Sutiyoso did not participate in the election, with his deputy Fauzi Bowo facing off against former police general Adang Daradjatun.

Fauzi Bowo, which received the political support of a major coalition of political parties, won the election and secured nearly 58% of the 3.6 million votes while his opponent received about 1.5 million despite being backed by just PKS.

Background

Prior to 2005, regional leaders such as governors and mayors were indirectly elected by the regional legislative body (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah), which members were elected in public elections. It was not until 2005 when this system was replaced by direct elections for local areas.[2]

The previous governor, Sutiyoso, was reelected for his second term through the indirect method with Fauzi Bowo as his deputy in September 2002, in a vote held in the midst of demonstrations against his governance. Observers described the results as "expected".[3]

Candidates

Sitting vice governor Fauzi Bowo received the support of a major coalition of parties, while his opponent Anang Daradjatun only managed to secure the support of the Prosperous Justice Party - which had previously won the local elections of Jakarta's satellite cities of Bekasi and Depok. Outside the two, several other figures such as Agum Gumelar and Faisal Basri were also potential candidates, but did not manage to secure backing.[4]

Then-academist Anies Baswedan noted the large amount of negotiations and transactions involved with the formation of the coalition.[4]

Issues

The primary issues contested were chronic poverty and unemployment in addition to the city's traffic jams and annual flooding. Topics such as corruption and Islam's role in public life also became campaigning areas.[5]

Fauzi Bowo's campaign in particular claimed that Daradjatun's governorship will result in limitations for the city's nightlife because of his backing from the islamist PKS. The latter denied this and in turn accused Fauzi of being indebted to his political backers.[5] Daradjatun also accused the previous administration of incompetence.[6]

Results

Following early vote counts, Anang-Dani conceded their defeat before the official results were released.[7] Fauzi Bowo-Prijanto were officially declared as winners of the election on 16 August, after securing 2,109,511 (57.87%) of the votes while Anang gained 1,535,555 (42.13%) votes. The former pair won in all constituent cities (and the Thousand Islands Regency).[1] The turnout of over 3.6 million voters (~65%) exceeded expectations.[8]

Votes by areaFauzi-Prijanto Anang-Dani
Votes % Votes %
Central Jakarta234,14456.04183,679 43.96
611,78856.78 465,750 43.22
319,506 57.56 235,616 42.44
460,38057.40 341,667 42.60
475,894 60.94 304,983 39.06
Thousand Islands7,79966.89 3,860 33.11
Total2,109,51157.871,535,55542.13

Aftermath

The election was mentioned in a leaked diplomatic cable released, which noted that "despite the intense press coverage of the election and its national importance, the Jakarta elites have rigged the game".[9] Fauzi Bowo would later run again for his second term in 2012, in which he lost to Joko Widodo.[10]

Notes and References

  1. News: KPU Tetapkan Fauzi Bowo-Prianto Pemenang Pilkada DKI 2007. 24 March 2018. Antara News. 16 August 2007. id-ID.
  2. News: Indonesia retains regional elections. 27 March 2018. BBC News. 20 January 2015.
  3. News: Sutiyoso Kembali Menjabat Gubernur DKI. 27 March 2018. Liputan6. 11 September 2002. id.
  4. Baswedan. Anies R.. Indonesian Politics in 2007: The Presidency, Local Elections and the Future of Democracy. Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies. December 2007. 43. 3. 323–340. 10.1080/00074910701727597. 154562089.
  5. News: Jakarta holds first direct election for governor. 27 March 2018. The New York Times. 8 August 2007.
  6. News: Adhityani. Arga. Indonesia's capital votes in first direct election. 27 March 2018. Reuters. 8 August 2007.
  7. News: Islamic party candidate concedes Jakarta election. 27 March 2018. Reuters. 10 August 2007.
  8. Web site: In Indonesia: Positive Vibes from Jakarta's First Direct Gubernatorial Election - The Asia Foundation. The Asia Foundation. 27 March 2018. 8 August 2007.
  9. News: Wikileaks Juga Soroti Pilkada DKI 2007. 24 March 2018. VIVA. 7 July 2012. id.
  10. News: Kuhn. Anthony. Jakarta's New Governor Seen As A Rising Star. 27 March 2018. NPR. 24 December 2012. en.