Businesses blossom as politicians spend big bucks

The Jakarta Post,  Jakarta | Wed, 02/04/2009 10:12 AM  

As political parties and legislative candidates campaign ahead of the general elections, more businesses are benefiting from their hurly-burly for popularity. 

Erwin Soffiyah, owner of printing workshop Soffiyah Collection on Jl Kayu Tinggi, East Jakarta, said his business had blossomed due to mounting orders for campaign-related products from many political parties and candidates. 

“In normal time, I get revenue of around Rp 20 million per month, but today I can earn more than three times that,” Erwin told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. 

Erwin has also promoted his business through the Internet.

“Our website is very helpful, we can attract more customers from outside Java,” Erwin said. 

Boby, 27, the manager of Sarana Anugerah printing workshop in Pasar Minggu district, South Jakarta, shared similar enthusiasm. 

“I don’t even need to promote my place. Orders keep coming. We have even had to refuse some,” said Boby, adding that his monthly revenue had doubled from the usual Rp 15 million. 

In December last year, the Constitutional Court annulled two articles of the 2008 elections law that allowed political party leaders to handpick their close supporters to represent the parties in the national and regional legislatures. 

The seats will now go to the individual candidates who garner the most votes. 

The newly changed election system has forced individual candidates to promote themselves more intensively than previous elections. 

Abdul Canter Sangaji, a Jakarta councilor candidate from the People Conscience Party (Hanura), said he had spent more than Rp 500 million (US$42,500) on his campaign. 

“I have spent the money on publications, meetings and charity programs,” said the 24-year-old rookie politician, adding that the money was from his family’s coffer. 

One candidate for Jakarta’s Regional Representative Council (DPD), Firman Abadi, 36, said he had set aside Rp 50 million. 

“Most of the money has gone toward producing flags, posters, banners and T-shirts,” said Firman, who also runs a printing business. 

Competition ahead of the elections has also given new businesses a chance to rise. 

Eko Prasetyo, one owner of a South Jakarta-based political consultancy agency, Virus Surveyors Group, said his 1-year-old agency was constantly expanding as orders for their services come from more places.  

“This month we are managing 10 popularity surveys for national legislative candidates from various electoral regions,” Eko said, adding that every survey could cost their clients between Rp 200 and Rp 230 million. 

Aside from conducting surveys, the agency also provides exit poll services and campaign trainings for legislative candidates. 

But, other businesses have seen a trend of decline. 

Ujang Nugraha, the president director of integrated marketing communications firm Masima Radionet, said demand from political parties for his radio promotion business had dropped significantly. 

“Instead of spending money on massive electronic media, political parties and independent candidates are now choosing to advertise through local newspapers and radio stations or massive print ads,” Ujang said.   

Masima currently handles the promotions for four political parties, down from dozens in the 2004 election, Ujang said.(hwa)