MALUKU: HIGH TURNOUT, ENTHUSIASM, ETHNICITY NOT RELIGION

UNCLAS SURABAYA 000038

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL ASEC PHUM ID
SUBJECT: MALUKU: HIGH TURNOUT, ENTHUSIASM, ETHNICITY NOT RELIGION
MARK LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS

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1. (SBU). Summary: The parliamentary elections in Maluku were
peaceful and voter turnout was high. Despite the area's history
of sectarian conflict, the outcome of this and recent local
elections demonstrated that religion is no longer the primary
factor in choosing political leadership. Voters tend to support
candidates from the same tribe or village regardless of their
religious background. Preliminary counts show that the
President's Partai Demokrat has a strong lead over Golkar and
PDIP, which dominated the 2004 elections. End Summary.

Decisions, decisions...
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2. (SBU) We visited several polling stations in Ambon on
election day. Polling stations were well-organized and election
officials appeared prepared for their tasks. Approximately
two-thirds of registered voters turned out, although many seemed
confused by the numerous choices and complexity of the ballots.
Witnesses from a number of political parties were actively
observing the voting and ballot-counting processes. The security
presence was adequate, and citizens in some polling stations
lingered long after their ballots were cast, turning the
democratic process into an entertaining community event. Most
shops and public transport in Ambon did not operate during the
election, freeing citizens to participate in the process
throughout the day.


3. (SBU) Most voters said that their main reasons for voting
were a desire for economic improvement, reduced unemployment and
better educational opportunities for their children. Voters were
eager to support any candidate who could realistically deliver
on his/her commitment to improve the community, although the
clear preference was for candidates with a common tribal or
village connection.

Village/Ethnicity Most Important
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4. (SBU) Although Ambon is about 60% Christian and 40% Muslim,
voters did not consider religion a significant factor in this
election. This is not surprising. Maluku's current governor is a
Christian who won a healthy 62% of the vote, backed by
nationalist party PDIP and Islamic-based parties PBB and PKB. In
addition, Muslim voters helped elect the Maluku House Speaker
and the Mayor of Ambon, both of whom are Christians. Two local
Muslim intellectuals, Hasbollah (deputy rector of Ambon Islamic
University),and Abidin (leader of the Maluku Interfaith Forum),
told us that following the sectarian conflicts in Maluku, people
no longer consider religion a major issue in selecting good
leaders. Rev. Johny Ruhulesin, head of Maluku Synod, was of the
same opinion. He added that for Maluku voters, a local leader
who shares a clan or village connection trumps one who merely
shares the same religion. Islamic party PKS reportedly attempted
to use Islam as a tool to mobilize voters, but did not gain much
traction.


5. (SBU) According to Daniel Alexander Pattiwae of TV Ambon, the
"quick count" showed President SBY's party Partai Demokrat well
ahead of PDIP and Golkar. As votes were being counted in one
polling station we observed, onlookers shouted their support
every time they heard the name of Sonny Waplua, a local Chinese
businessman from Partai Demokrat. Sonny Waplau and Alex Litaay
-- former secretary general of PDIP -- were clearly the dominant
vote-getters during the oral count. Some voters explained that
they supported Waplau because he is a known business leader who
could provide jobs. Waplau is not his actual family name, but
rather the name of the village in Maluku where he lives, which
he has adopted as his own.

MCCLELLAND